Rural communities urged to grow rice

Tanaka Mahanya

Rural communities have been urged to engage in rice farming as the demand for rice continues to grow.

Japan ambassador to Zimbabwe, Satoshi Tanaka, said while the demand for rice is increasing rapidly, Zimbabwe only grows very little and depends largely on imports.

“I feel that if more rice is grown here, it will save foreign currency in imports. In addition, it will also improve the livelihoods of rural people if they grow and sell it for a good price and improve food security,” he said.

He said agriculture is one of Japan’s priority areas for its support because Zimbabwe has a lot of potential in this area.

“We would like to see the country become the breadbasket of the region like it used to be.

“So, we have cooperated on several projects, such as Nyakomba Irrigation Scheme and Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion, which are helping to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, as well as ensuring food security and improving the economy.

“We hope that growing rice will help rural women in Zimbabwe to improve their livelihoods. I hope you will learn more about growing rice in Zimbabwe. One day, Zimbabwean rice may become very popular in the world market,” he said.