Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu, [email protected]
FARMERS across the country should form local and regional partnerships and share agricultural knowledge and skills as well as learning from each other to ensure maximum crop and livestock production, President Mnangagwa has said.
Addressing Cabinet Ministers at Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe yesterday President Mnangagwa said farmers should continuously learn from each other’s failures and successes to improve productivity.
He said it was important for farmers to always measure themselves against the best, saying that is how one learns and increases productivity.
“I work with my brother Patrick (Mnangagwa) on this farm and what I always say is that one should measure himself or herself against the best,” President Mnangagwa said.
“Whatever you do, measure yourself against the best. Ask yourself, are they better than me? If they are, go and learn from them.”
The President said agriculture and farming have a large bearing on his family, with the farming history in the family dating back years with the philosophy of learning from other farmers being part of the family.
“That is the philosophy that we have here at Pricabe farm,” he said. “Learning does not end for a farmer; always work to enhance the knowledge and skills that you have.
“Here at Pricabe, we have various crops under cultivation which include maize, wheat, sugar beans, among others. We always work to ensure that we have yields every year.”
President Mnangagwa said over the years, the Pricabe management has travelled across the country and to neighbouring countries such as South Africa to learn about agriculture and livestock production.
“I have always said, is there any farmer that is producing higher and better yields than us, and if so please go and learn from that farmer,” he added.
“At one point, Patrick had to travel to South Africa to tap agriculture skills and knowledge because that farmer was producing better yields than us.”
President Mnangagwa called farmers to work together and to shun jealousy among themselves to enhance productivity.
Pricabe Farm sits on 405 hectares and produces various crops, including maize, wheat, barley, sugar beans and potatoes, among others.
The farm has livestock which include over 2 000 cattle, sheep, goats among others. The farm is highly mechanised and has about 50 permanent workers, while an additional 200 contract and seasonal workers from surrounding villages are employed during peak farming periods.
President Mnangagwa said it was also important to engage agronomists to ensure high agricultural production. The Pricabe farm is owned by the First Family and is an epitome of farming, with various successful agricultural activities taking place.
Various regional Presidents, including South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa, former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, among others, have toured Pricabe farm.
Yesterday‘s event was attended by several Cabinet ministers, the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, ministers of state for provincial affairs and traditional leaders.
