adminTatenda Gapare, Sunday New Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO South member of the National Assembly, Cde Zenzo Sibanda, yesterday awarded the district farmer of the year (2013-2014) with a cow and called on farmers in the district to take farming seriously.
Cde Sibanda also handed over Master Farmer Certificates and donated football kits at Khulumusenza Village. He handed over the cow to the district’s farmer of the year, Mrs Simangaliphi Tshuma, following an agriculture show that was held in the area.
“I feel happy to award a cow to the hard working farmer who exhibited a lot of products. These agricultural shows are very important and l hope you as a farming community and the stakeholders will understand the importance too. The Government is also aware of the involvement in small grain seed multiplication projects for all farmers and this is in a bid to improve local seed systems and market linkage. This goes a long way in ensuring food security and issues against the climate change phenomenon,” he said.
In an interview, Mrs Tshuma said she was happy to receive an award as the best district farmer and encouraged other farmers to work hard.
“I’m happy to receive a cow as an award. I deserve it because l worked very hard to reach to this level therefore l encourage other farmers to follow my footsteps maybe they will also win like me,” said Mrs Tshuma.
Cde Sibanda said the Government was working tirelessly to ensure that farmers access inputs but, however, emphasised that this should not stop farmers from purchasing inputs on their own and preparing for the 2015-2016 season on time.
More than 15 farmers were awarded with certificates and were encouraged to improve on their small livestock and poultry production.
derick.khumalo