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Conrad Mupesa Herald Correspondent
Summerhill Farm near the mining town of Mhangura is proving to be a classic example of how smart partnerships can help improve production on farms.
The farm was allocated to Ms Nomhle Mliswa, who subsequently entered into a five- year partnership with white-owned firms — MS Farming, PHI Commodities and Tinotenga Mombe Sansaveria Investments (Pvt) Ltd — which are using 220 hectares of arable land at the 345-hectare farm.
The partnership, which is now in its third year, was brokered by the Ministry of Agriculture and legal experts.
The companies have turned the farm in upper Doma area in Ward 11 of Mhangura constituency into a potato-growing hub.
It is now producing tonnes of potatoes annually, in addition to soyabeans and maize.
At least 100 hectares of the farm is under soyabean and maize.
Tinotenga Mombe Sansaveria Investments (Pvt) Ltd, on the other hand, is buying cattle for fattening and reselling.
The partnership has not only led to the maximum utilisation of the farm, but has also resulted in the partners bringing in heavy farming machinery and irrigation equipment, which Ms Mliswa stands to inherit in two years’ time when the contract expires.
In recognition of the partnership’s success, the Women in Agriculture Union (WAU) recently organised a Smart-Agro field schooling day at the farm to demonstrate how partnerships in farming are key to ensuring that the country reclaims its breadbasket status.
Ms Mliswa took a swipe at some farmers who were politicising partnerships, which was derailing President Mnangagwa’s quest to promote food security, productivity and trade.
She said farming was like any other business, which required a lot of critical thinking, professionalism, leadership and collaboration.
“If we decide to enter into partnerships, let us also maintain business ethics, loyalty and honesty to avoid disappointing our partners,” she said.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Resettlement Vangelis Haritatos, who was the guest of honour, said resettled farmers, particularly women, stood to benefit immensely from such partnerships in terms of knowledge and resources to help revolutionise land reform.
“Summerhill Farm has shown us the positive impact of what a woman can do with a combination of the right partnership technology and mechanisation,” he said.
“Women in Agriculture Union, I am urging you to assist more women to get into such beneficial partnerships.”
Deputy Minister Haritatos emphasised the need for a hands-on approach to agriculture to ensure maximum production.
As a ministry, Deputy Minister Haritatos said they had opened a gender desk which was working towards opening up prospects for women and their inclusion in all Government projects.
This is in line with United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 on gender equality.
It is estimated that women account for 70 percent of the food production in the country, but their contribution is not visible due to a number of challenges such as lack of access to markets and resources.
Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Mary Mliswa-Chikoka underlined the need for synergies in agriculture to help boost production, which will help grow the provincial Gross Domestic Product.
“Synergies and smart partnerships that we are seeing across the value chain will boost Mashonaland West’s Gross Domestic Product and create serious value in the province,” she said.
Minister Mliswa-Chikoka said partnerships were a sign that the land reform programme was irreversible and Zimbabweans were expected to appreciate that.
She urged Government to ensure that the gains of the agrarian reforms were realised through supporting productive farmers.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, a local farmer and WaMambo Farm co-owner, Mrs Cecil Paradza, urged farmers struggling with resources and knowledge to enter into partnerships as they presented win-win opportunities for all those involved.
Women in Agriculture Union national chairperson Ms Olga Nhari implored women to unite and enter into farming business partnerships to help improve productivity.
The field day schooling was bankrolled by Seed Co, while the company’s national agronomist, Mrs Wendy Madzura, imparted framing tips to invited guests.
Online Reporter