admin
Prosper Ndlovu Business Editor
THE government has commended Matabeleland North and South provinces for recording increased crop yields in the 2013/14 agricultural season and ensuring improved food security in the country. Addressing delegates during the Zanu-PF Matabeleland provincial coordinating committees meeting at Elangeni Training Centre in Bulawayo yesterday, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made said maize production figures from the region rose by more than 100 percent in the last season compared to the previous season. “Matabeleland South recorded a very critical increase from 17,000 metric tonnes to 78,000 this season making a 356 percent increase. Matabeleland North got 78,000 metric tonnes compared to 36,000 the previous season making a 118 percent increase,” said Minister Made.
“We did not count Bulawayo because we consider it peri-urban but it did very well. We look at these results and ask what more would it be like had we added irrigation?”
He applauded the region, which is normally affected by drought and poor yields, for making an impact in cropping despite the challenges.
Minister Made said Binga district defied the odds across the country this year by producing more after receiving inputs support from the Presidential inputs scheme last year. “For the first time small commercial farmers in Binga delivered 475 metric tonnes of grain to the Grain Marketing Board. Communal farmers delivered 376 metric tonnes. This has never happened and this year Binga chiefs never called for food support,” the minister said.
He said his ministry was working on opening up a large irrigation scheme in Binga covering 10,000 hectares to consolidate food security and nutrition.
The minister said feasibility studies on the project were underway and the ministry was liaising with its energy development portfolio to ensure the initiative succeeds.
He said the project will create jobs for Binga people and enhance improved food production.
Minister Made said livestock development was key to the region and said several measures were underway to boost the national herd.
Online Reporter