Thousands attend field day at Mnangagwa farm

Vice President Retired General Constantino Chiwenga has congratulated the Mnangagwa family for a job well done in their agriculture venture at their Precabe Farm in Sherwodd block near Kwekwe.

Speaking at a field day at the farm today, Vice President Chiwenga, who was the guest of honour, said what the first family has proved to Zimbabwe is exactly what  President Emmerson Mnangagwa is preaching that Zimbabwe is now open for business.

“This is what Zimbabweans should do. The First Family has managed to produce 12 tonnes of maize per hectare and this is the way to go. We need to increase our agricultural contribution to the fiscus from the current 15 percent to 30 percent and it can only be achieved if farmers resort  to  good farming methods as displayed by the Mnangagwa family here,” said Cde Chiwenga.

During a field visit, seed expert and Precabe Farm Manager, Patrick Mnangagwa underscored the importance of growing seed varieties which are drought and disease tolerant, so as to realise high yields that can take the country back to its status as the bread basket of Southern Africa.

“With fluctuating weather patterns, farmers should grow new seed varieties that are drought and disease tolerant and to adopt agricultural innovations that will ensure increased productivity and enhance quality of produce,” he said.

Farmers, who toured the fields and had presentations and demonstrations from agriculture and seed experts, said the field day was an eye opener that gave them an opportunity to learn firsthand innovative practices being applied at Precabe Farm that can help them  increase yield.

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri and Midlands Minister of State, Cde Owen Ncube urged farmers to adopt innovative agricultural practices to boost crop and livestock production in the country.

The First Lady, Cde Auxillia Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to thousands of people who gathered at their farm and urged farmers to copy some of the farming techniques so as to increase agricultural yields.

Agriculture used to be the major contributor to the country’s economy but production had declined after the land reform programme, owing to numerous challenges.

However, last year the country recorded a bumper harvest due to the command agriculture programme and good rains received. state media