Tiyani Hahlani

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has called on commercial farmers in Masvingo Province to invest in irrigation infrastructure, mechanisation and value addition as part of efforts to increase agricultural production and agro-industrial activity.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Professor Obert Jiri, made the remarks during a field tour at Riverton Farm, where he said the province has significant water resources that can support expanded crop and cereal production if utilised for agriculture.

“Masvingo holds 52 percent of the nation’s water. If this resource is fully utilised for agriculture, the province can become the hub of our national food security,” said Prof Jiri.

He said agricultural programmes should align with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS-2) by incorporating value addition and agro-processing so that primary produce is processed locally.

“Here in Masvingo, we must aim to produce more wheat and manufacture our own bread locally. By cutting out transport and other external costs, a loaf of bread could cost less than one dollar. This is how we grow incomes, create jobs, and build strong rural economies,” he said.

Prof Jiri encouraged farmers to adopt mechanisation and modern farming technologies, noting that continued use of manual tools and older production methods affects output levels and market participation.

He said technology-based farming is required to meet national food requirements and support exports.

Farmer and businessperson Philmon Mutangiri said farmers can respond to existing market demand by producing goods required by consumers and industry.

“There is strong demand and a lot of money circulating in the country from shops, individuals, and factories. If you want to capture it, simply produce what people want,” said Mutangiri.

Mutangiri said his farming activities expanded after he began utilising land that had previously not been under cultivation, following exposure to other farming operations.

“This farm was once grazing land and a thick forest. After visiting other productive farms and seeing what our President Mnangagwa is doing, I realised I was wasting the land. I then cleared it and started farming,” he said.