adminMashonaland West Correspondent
Mashonaland West province needs additional centre pivots, especially in the tobacco farming regions, to enhance irrigation infrastructure while boosting production in the province, Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Webster Shamu has said.
According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), more than 33 684 farmers from Mashonaland West province had registered to produce the “golden leaf” as of December last year.
The development of irrigation infrastructure will see an increase in the provincial output, as well as the quality of the tobacco crop.
Speaking at an Ethical Leaf Tobacco provincial sports tournament launch held in Chinhoyi recently, Minister Shamu said the province had 24 dams which could help improve tobacco output.
“We need centre pivots in Mashonaland West province in order to boost our tobacco production and assure quality production,” he said.
“We have 24 big dams and at least 200 small dams in the province. What we now need are centre pivots to enhance our irrigation infrastructure.”
Mashonaland West province, said Minister Shamu, had the potential to improve its tobacco quality, as well as the output.
“Now, I call upon tobacco contracting companies to assist in the production of tobacco so that quality production is guaranteed,” he said.
“Centre pivots will see complete utilisation of our resources in the province; thus contributing to the country’s economy.”
Minister Shamu indicated that illegal settlers had to move off unregulated settlements.
“I call for order in the province,” he said. “Those who are in illegal settlements should vacate. No one should settle without Government’s permission and those in grazing lands should also move to designated places.”
Minister Shamu urged farmers to be united in building the country’s economy.
Government has already put up 10 centre pivots in Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central.
In an interview, Ethical Leaf Tobacco public relations manager Ms Hellen Rohde said most tobacco farmers were from Mashonaland West.
“We want to give back to the communities, so we had planned to go regional,” she said.
“Mashonaland West is one of our best growers in the country and we look forward to working with the communities, as well as the farmers.
“We have started the initiative where we sponsor schools tournaments, with Chinhoyi High School hosting the finals.”
The Department of Irrigation plans to set up drip irrigation systems for farmers around Mhangura, Doma and Chinhoyi in the province.
Online Reporter