Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru- The Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Larry Mavima has commended horticulture production in the province saying the initiative was focused at generating income for rural communities.
The remarks were made following the official launch of the horticulture expo last week in Zvishavane.
Addressing stakeholders during the launch at Gresham grounds, Mavima said the horticulture recovery plan was part of government initiatives under the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy (2020-2025).
“The horticulture plan is part of government’s plan to transform agriculture from a US$ 5.2 billion to a US$ 8.2 billion sector, contributing 20 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025 in line with the vision of making Zimbabwe an upper middle class income economy.
“The horticulture recovery and growth plan will not just boost exports, but also drive rural incomes, adding US$ 2 000 to the average household income for participating small-scale farmers by 2030. Food and nutrition security goes beyond the household. If farmers produce in excess, the fruits can be shared with other communities. The programme has a balanced value chain management.
“Government is already putting in place ideas of processing; drying, canning and bottling of agricultural produce in communal areas. The programme is geared to alleviate poverty among the rural communities. Over 11 million people are set to be empowered through the eight Presidential Inputs Schemes as government moves to ensure the attainment of an upper middle income economy by 2030. The Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan focuses on two broad and mutually reinforcing areas namely a private sector-driven recovery of the conventional horticulture sub-sector; and a robust, inclusive, sustainable and transformative rural horticulture sub-sector,” he said.
He further urged the nation to utilise the recently launched Agriculture Recovery Plan model for agriculture and economic productivity.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently said the recovery model should be adopted by all 10 provinces to enhance productivity on the land. The agricultural sector must be productive and become the centre of the country’s development. The Agriculture Recovery Plan should result in the realisation of agriculture transformation and modernisation for the attainment of food self-sufficiency.
“The Presidential Horticulture Scheme will have the following components, household tree planting, village nutritional gardens, ward based youth vegetable and horticulture gardens and orchards, schools, vegetables and fruits, research, development and innovation in production, processing, value addition, beneficiation for domestic and export market development. It is impressive to note that Midlands province has tapped into the President’s call to roll out the programme. This is being pro-active! Well done Midlands for taking the lead. I note that here you invited almost all agricultural stakeholders for a purpose through Exclusive Business Development led by Wishes Nyandoro. This is the organization to work with and lean upon considering the crowd of intellectuals they pulled together. Well done Mr Nyandoro and team. Well done Partners of valour,” Mavima said.
He further urged all horticulture farmers to participate and experience the theme set for this year.
“The presentations made here really pave way for producers to run the race, hence I urge Midlanders to walk, run and live your brilliant talk. All programmes that are brought to communities by the government are expected to succeed without fail, why? Because we have theoretical and practical experts who can drive the boat to coast. In this regard, I am happy to say Midlands we are already counting on you hence processing equipment will be on its way soon.
“I am reliably informed by AGRITEX that this province has farmers who are already into local and export marketing. This expo will invite many more Midlands farmers to participate if the current farmers improve in food and nutrition security and economically. May this big, beautiful and well organised Horticulture Convention and Expo yield great results because of its magnitude, dedication of partners and organizers? I am impressed to note that AGRITEX is a team player and amazed to see such a huge gathering of elite partners pulled together by this Exclusive Business Development Company. Yes! Midlands you can go far with such big creative support and team work,” he added
The expo was held under the theme, ‘Explore, Connect, Earn’.
