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Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau
Youths can now attend one of the provincial integrated incubation centres dotted across the country to acquire the required farming skills before they can be allocated land as a way of promoting the turnaround plan of the agriculture sector, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka has said.
He made the remarks at Beatrice Farm in Makonde during an event to honour the top three outstanding national cotton farmers for the 2020-2021 season recently.
All three farmers came from Makonde and were handsomely rewarded by Cottco.
Mr Peter Mhlauri of Goldenview Farm, who was the overall winner, received a 57kW tractor, plough and trailer valued at US$45 000 after producing 107 bales of cotton from 8ha.
Mr Talent Majoni took home a solar-powered borehole pump while Mr Joseph Wasarirevhu received home solar-power systems.
Minister Masuka said when Zimbabwe embarked on the fast-track agrarian reform programme in the year 2000, it was as a result of the black majority not owning land.
“The decision was to correct social and economic imbalances, but the process is behind us now.
“For youths to now acquire land under their quota of 20 percent, they should first go through any of the provincial integrated incubation centres dotted across the nation,” he said.
“There are ten centres in each province where our youths can visit and get an understanding and knowledge of the farming business they wish to venture into.
“Upon completion, you will be awarded certificates of participation that will be a gateway to acquire pieces of land.”
Minister Masuka said the Government was ensuring that the trajectory to land allocation was now based on which farming skill one possesses.
Speaking during the same event, Mr Majoni challenged parents to allocate land to their children.
Mr Majoni, who received the National Cotton Farmer of the Year second prize, was allocated land by his father who also taught him how to grow cotton.
“Why can’t we use the programmes that President Mnangwagwa is giving us? In cotton growing, we are getting inputs for free while Cottco officials help us with good agronomic practices,” said the 31-year-old farmer.
Online Reporter