Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
PRESIDENT Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on the private sector and other stakeholders to invest in and support the Mutoko Bio-Economy Industrial Park through out-grower schemes, saying stronger partnerships are critical to expanding rural industrialisation, creating jobs and increasing local production.
Speaking at the official opening of the Finealt Engineering Mutoko Bio-Economy Industrial Park on Thursday, President Mnangagwa said support should extend beyond Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central to other suitable agro-ecological regions.
“I call upon the private sector and other stakeholders to support plants at this Bio-Economy Industrial Park, including through vibrant out-grower schemes for cultivating sunflower and growing Jatropha. These must extend across other appropriate agro-ecological regions, beyond Mashonaland East and Central provinces,” he said.
The President also directed local authorities to prioritise industrialisation by making land available for manufacturing and investment projects.
“Local Authorities in both rural and urban are once again directed to avail land for industrialisation. We should not procrastinate on this matter but urgently and deliberately put in place the right ecosystem to realise the aspirations we have pronounced,” he said.
President Mnangagwa commended students from Masvingo Polytechnic, Harare Polytechnic and apprentices under the Industrial Trade Testing Department for undertaking much of the construction work and machinery installation at the facility.
“Your good work shows that the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model is a success and that indeed, Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo,” he said.
He added that the Integrated Skills Expansion Programme had equipped many young people from the local community with practical skills during the construction phase, opening pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
“These young citizens from the community now possess skills and qualifications, previously deemed out of reach. They are poised to enter the workforce or become entrepreneurs, to better their livelihoods, transform local communities and subsequently the national economy as a whole,” he said.
The President challenged the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development to build on the project’s success by accelerating the commercialisation of research, start-ups and innovations developed by institutions of higher learning.
Looking ahead, President Mnangagwa said Government expects the full development of the industrial park and the Nyakadecha Estate, which will supply Jatropha feedstock and create additional employment opportunities.
“This is sustainable development and dignified wealth creation for our communities unfolding here in Mutoko,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Government’s long-term goal is to replicate the rural industrialisation model across the country.
“By 2030, we envision the model of rural industrialisation being replicated through the establishment of other Bio-Economy Industrial Parks in all eight provinces of our country. Service shops should equally be set up within our communities and townships to secure access to affordable made-in-Zimbabwe goods and products for our people,” he said.
He described the Mutoko project as evidence of Zimbabwe’s continued industrial transformation, adding: “Under the Second Republic, Zimbabwe is rising. We are marching forward.”
