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Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
Health personnel at Glamorgen Clinic in Bindura North recently got a major boost after Ethical Leaf Tobacco (ELT) donated an assortment of personal protective equipment for them to use while discharging their duties.
The consignment consists of disposable gowns, sanitisers, digital thermometers and gloves, and comes at a critical time as the clinic, which was established in 2013 through the conversion of an old farm house, is now catering for over 5 000 people from four wards.
ELT general manager, who was represented by Mr Taurai Jemedze, said they believe in empowering the community they work in.
“The pandemic has become a national crisis and we realised that supplies for healthcare workers are essential,” he said. “Therefore, we are complementing Government efforts, especially in rural areas in fighting Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our vision is to empower smallholder farmers both socially and economically. We will continue to do more for our farmers and continue to find ways of working harmoniously in the wake of Covid-19.”
Bindura North legislator, Cde Remigio Matangira, commended ELT for giving back to the community.
He urged the clinic to use the PPE consignment to good use and protect the workers and the community from the pandemic.
ELT, which launched a $660 million input scheme this farming season and contacted 2 000 smallholder farmers in Mashonaland Central, is expecting 7 million kg countrywide, with 2,5 million kg coming from the province.
Already, ELT has approached Bindura Municipality for land to construct a tobacco auction floor in the province.
Presently, the company is using the Tobacco Sales Floors in Harare.
Cde Matangira said agriculture was key in helping Zimbabwe attain Vision 2030 of an upper middle income economy.
“Increased production in mining and agriculture is another way of busting sanctions,” he said. “We are encouraging our farmers to at least have one hectare under tobacco to earn foreign currency.
“When the tobacco selling season begins, we want ELT to come and buy their tobacco here at the farms to reduce transport costs and risk of being robbed.”
Cde Matangira discouraged farmers from side marketing their tobacco crop and urged contractors to closely monitor their farmers.
Online Reporter