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Maize seed producer Pioneer Hi-Bred Zimbabwe says it has doubled its production capacity in the last 10 years to service the local market.
The seed company has grown its market share to become one of the top three seed houses operating in the country. In an interview at the provincial farmers’ awards ceremony in Bindura last week, Pioneer managing director Mr Daniel Myers said Pioneer Hi-Bred was committed to helping Zimbabwe to restore its breadbasket status in the region.
He also said that farmers needed to be driven by the need to increase productivity by achieving better yields to sustain food production for the nation.
They could do this by adopting best farming practices and use of the best seed variety for their geographical locations, fertiliser and herbicides.
“Despite the droughts that we have experienced in the past few years, Zimbabwe has a favourable climate for cereal and soyabean production.
“Therefore, the country should strive for sustainable food production so that we can produce adequate food for our nation and reduce grain imports which of late have been flooding our market,” said Mr Myers.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Mashonaland Central Advocate Martin Dinha, who was the guest of honour at the awards ceremony, urged all seed houses in the country to come up with contract farming initiatives that will boost the food security sector.
“It is high time that the country stopped importing foodstuffs since the money used to import would be useful in building national infrastructure.
“The nation’s Sadc breadbasket status can only be reclaimed if the seed companies assure us of their support to the new farmer because at the moment food security sector is the most critical,” Adv Dinha said.
The minister also took a swipe at greedy farmers who have resorted to cash crop farming at the expense of producing food for the nation.
“It’s not a crime to grow cash crops, but farmers should also grow food crops because cash can only be enjoyed today but you will then need food in the long run.
“It has been our long history to be self-sufficient when it comes to food, therefore I urge our farmers to grow more food crops so as to feed the nation,” he said.
The minister also said he would be looking at most farmers grievances, especially the low market prices of most food crops.
“We shall be engaging other stakeholders to see how best we can help our farmers find their footing in these hard times,” he said.
Pioneer Hi-Bred organised the provincial awards ceremony to appreciate the good work done by Pioneer small-scale and 10- tonne commercial maize growers in Mashonaland Central province.
Online Reporter