Story by Gay Matambo
THE Government and private players have embarked on a massive agriculture development project in Nuanetsi Ranch, Masvingo Province, with 30 000 hectares having been set aside for the initiative.
The initiative, aimed at boosting food security and driving agro-industrial growth, is spearheaded by the Development Trust of Zimbabwe (DTZ) in collaboration with multiple agricultural investors. The project will draw water from the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam to support large-scale irrigation and production.
At an investor indaba held in Chiredzi this Wednesday, several stakeholders confirmed that operations were underway under long-term leases and joint ventures.
“We want to thank the President for giving us an opportunity as Zimbabweans to fully utilise our land and empower our communities. I am going to be developing 2 500 hectares of land in Nuanetsi and we welcome that development. We have set targets and we are planning to undertake this in phases, and on August 1, we will be done clearing 242 hectares, that is our phase one,” Lyonais Investments Managing Director, Mr Lawrence Mahakwa.
Honzero Agro projects Managing Director, Mr Guyfield Mpehla, outlined plans for a multi-phased development strategy.
“We have earmarked 3 000 hectares for sugarcane production, with another 1 100 hectares set aside for citrus. We have divided the sugarcane production master plan into five phases of 500 hectares each. For Phase 1, we have already installed eight pivots covering 65 hectares each.”
The commercial agriculture project, which is set to fully utilise water from Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, is set to unlock agricultural productivity and industrial growth.
Development Trust of Zimbabwe General Manager, Mr Emmanuel Jaricha, highlighted that the 30 000-hectare project is being implemented through strategic partnerships.
“The strategic guidance we received was to enter into partnerships to develop this land, given the financial constraints imposed by sanctions. We identified capable Zimbabweans to take up the 25-year leases or joint ventures, focusing predominantly on sugarcane and lucerne. We aim to turn this block into a vibrant commercial enterprise, and we have nine partners already on board.”
Masvingo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, reiterated the importance of such developmental projects in contributing to the National Gross Domestic Product and employment creation.
“This dovetails with our Vision 2030 and Agenda 2063. The Africa We Want. The investors’ efforts will ensure our water bodies are fully utilised and our agro-based economy is strengthened through downstream opportunities.”
The Development Trust of Zimbabwe ceded 80 000 hectares to accommodate and reorganise 14 000 families who had settled in sections of Nuanetsi Ranch where the project is being implemented.
“With these developments, we are proud to contribute to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and the province’s GDP by enhancing land utilisation. We are addressing human needs by reorganising affected families to areas adjacent to the developments so they can benefit through production on their plots and employment opportunities,” the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Amos Marawa said.
The development of over 20 000 hectares of productive commercial land downstream of Tugwi-Mukosi Dam is expected to stimulate agro industrialisation while enhancing food security as well as contribute US$1 billion annually to Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product.
