Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu
Farmers across the country should form local and regional partnerships to share expertise and learn from each other to enhance maximum crop and livestock production, President Mnangagwa has said.
Addressing Cabinet ministers at his 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.
The President admires a wheat spike while Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka looks on during the tour of Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe yesterday. — Pictures: Believe Nyakudjara.
“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.”
President Mnangagwa and Pricabe Farm manager Mr Patrick Mnangagwa (right) hold samples of their potatoes while leading a tour of the farm by Cabinet ministers and senior Government officials in Kwekwe yesterday. Also in the picture are Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (second from left), griculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka (left), Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Prof Amon Murwira (second right), Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire (partly obscured).
The President said agriculture and farming have a large bearing on his family, with the family’s farming history dating back many decades with the philosophy of learning from other farmers, being central.
“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.
President Mnangagwa, accompanied by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (centre), Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera (behind Defence Minister), Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi (wearing black cap), Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire (right), Foreign Affairs Minister Prof Murwira (red cap) and other senior officials at the livestock section of the farm yesterday.
“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 had travelled across the country and to neighbouring countries such as South Africa to learn on 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,” added.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa chats with Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi at Pricabe Farm.
“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 on the farmers to work together and to shun jealousy.
Pricabe Farm sits on 405 hectares and produces various crops, including maize, wheat, barley, sugar beans and potatoes.
The farm has livestock which include over 2 000 cattle, sheep and goats.
Some of the white Brahman cattle breed at the President’s Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe.
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.
Pricabe Farm is owned by the First Family and is an epitome of farming, with various successful agricultural activities taking place.
President Mnangagwa, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda (far right), Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu (right), and other senior officials listen as Pricabe Farm manager Mr Patrick Mnangagwa briefs them yesterday.
Various regional presidents, including South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa and former Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi have toured the farm.
Yesterday’s event was attended by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, several Cabinet ministers, Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution as well as traditional leaders.
