Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru- Farmers in rural areas have been encouraged to maximise agriculture production through adoption of market-oriented farming to unlock rural industrialisation.
This was said by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka in Gweru while touring small scale farmer irrigation schemes last week.
“Rural areas have the potential to unlock rural industrialisation and that should be enhanced by availability of markets. His remarks came at a time when most farmers are busy harvesting their crops and focus to be shifted to competitive markets of the agricultural produce.
“The market must inform production and it is in this regard that we brought on board the Agriculture Market Authority of Zimbabwe and Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) for better agronomy and market viability. These are the agencies that must work with the communities to facilitate a business mindset for farming as a business so that we can maximise production and get better returns,” Dr Masuka said.
He further called upon farmers to run farming activities as businesses through applying business principles.
“We have fully utilised plots such as this one but when you go down there you find some empty plots which is why we want a new business model that ensures that agriculture land is put to practical use,” he added.
Agricultural Marketing Authority of Zimbabwe CEO Clever Isaya said it was gratifying that some of the produce from Insukamini Irrigation Scheme was of good quality and fit for the international market.
“Our mandate is to develop markets. We are developing local as well as international markets so that our farmers would be able to export their produce to other countries.
“What we have seen is that farmers are producing high quality products such as chillies, green pepper, sugar beans among others which I consider to be fit for export. If the standard is maintained and replicated across the country, I can assure you that the market share of Zimbabwe’s agricultural produce will expand,” he said.
