Shot in arm for farmers

The  9 euro million support that will be spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Help Germany and official Germany Co-operation (GIZ) will be delivered from 2013 to 2015.

Of the fund, FAO will receive  2 million euro to strengthen co-ordination in the agriculture sector; Help Germany 4 million euro in support of increasing agricultural productivity and national food and nutrition security among small holder farmers while GIZ will receive  3,2 million euro to foster agricultural extension service capacity building.

Officially launching the fund yesterday, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development permanent secretary, Mr Ngoni Masoka said increasing smallholder farmers production and productivity remained the ministry’s key policy thrust.

“This is enunciated in the Zimbabwe Comprehensive Agricultural Policy Framework, alongside three other key policy thrusts that include food and nutrition security, sustainable management of resources and research and development,” he said.
Mr Masoka said the project sought to eradicate poverty in Zimbabwe by helping small holder farmers in increasing production and productivity thereby boosting their income generation.

He said about 1,5 million farming households were facing a number of challenges that included limited access to working capital, limited use of fertilisers and certified seeds, crop and livestock diseases due to limited chemicals and lack of adequate machinery for timeous land preparations.

He said the Zimbabwe Agriculture Investment Plan that is being finalised by the ministry sought to increase agriculture investment in the agriculture sector.
EU Ambassador Aldo Dell’ Arriccia said the fund was part of the EU support to the implementation of Government programmes.

“Efforts need to be undertaken to improve the business climate in Zimbabwe and provide linkage with the farming sector to create better marketing opportunities.
“We believe there is vast potential for growth in the agricultural sector that can be unlocked and benefit the rural areas,” he said.