Let’s improve productivity with available technologies-President

Story by Bruce Chahwanda

President Emmerson Mnangagwa says farmers must always look at ways of improving production on their farms, regardless of size, through the use of available technology that enhances productivity.

The President made the call during a tour of his Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe by the Seventh Day Adventist leadership to find ways of improving agricultural productivity at the church’s 63 schools as well as at Solusi University.

After touring the livestock section, 400 hectares of land under maize, 180 hectares of soya beans, the Adventists interacted with President Mnangagwa who emphasised the need to continuously improve yields using the available technology.

“All the infrastructure, we built it ourselves and we give ourselves yearly targets. We compete with those with bigger land. We always compare with other countries and we adopted some of our concepts from best farmers in South Africa such that we implement the best. The systems at this farm, we got them from South Africa. Technology is there and it’s up to you to look for it. You must embrace what is best,” the Persident said.

Seventh Day Adventist Elder Kudakwashe Tagwirei updated the President on progress made at Solusi University and 63 Adventist schools in the country, regarding 60 tractors which were donated to them, and also, other implements.

“Out of the equipment and tractors you sent me with at Solusi University, we have already set up an irrigation system which, when complete, will do 250 hectares and their first crop will be winter wheat. Adventist schools got a tractor each and other implements, while each union has 21 tractors,” he said.

Some of the church leaders who toured the farm applauded the work being done for the good of the country.

“We saw a good livestock project, we witnessed how they are fed and it’s just pure therapy watching that breed of cattle. You leading by example,” commented one of the leaders.

Another said, “The maize, soya beans and livestock that we saw… we are satisfied that this is the only way to go.”

Added another leader, “What we have learnt is that with a small piece of land you can still be productive. An acre of arable is big enough to be productive.”

President Mnangagwa told church leaders how the farm started with only 25 herd of cattle, growing to over 2500 herd to date, including the implementation of intensive agriculture.

“We are doing 4 000 tonnes of maize and 2 000 tonnes of soya beans. We have the capacity to develop, every time we must look at improving production per hectare. You must employ the best in that field, despite the cost. You pay, but the results are excellent and that is how we must approach life. When I say Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo, we must implement that and here everything is organised,” he said.

President Mnangagwa paid his tithe comprising 105 heifers and 100 tonnes of maize to the church, while Elder Tagwirei gave six bulls to ensure that each union has 35 heifers and two bulls.