Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
INNOVATION is transforming agriculture in Manicaland, with farmers embracing modern technologies and value addition to boost food security, attract investment and drive economic growth.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, hailed farmers for their innovative initiatives and urged them to prepare for the upcoming farming season.
He was speaking at the official opening and closing ceremony of the Manicaland Agricultural Show in Mutare, held under the theme “Innovate, Unlock and Sustain Economic Growth.”
“By compelling us to ‘Innovate’ we create the future, and not wait for it. Manicaland cannot grow using old methods. As I moved around the stands, I was excited to see innovation everywhere. Our young people are spraying crops with drones in Chipinge, producing avocado oil and blueberry juice and installing smart irrigation in Nyanyadzi. When we innovate, we stop competing on cheap labour and start competing on ideas. And we have the foundation for it. Manicaland has excellent research in tea, coffee, macadamia and small grains. As we ‘Unlock’ we remove the barriers holding people back. Our province is rich, but some of our wealth is still locked,” said Minister Mugadza.
This year’s show attracted a record 220 companies and organisations, highlighting the province’s agricultural potential and the growing role of innovation in the sector.
Chimanimani District was adjudged the best exhibiting district after showcasing produce from all five of its natural ecological regions.
