Agriculture Reporter
Government is determined to ensure that the agriculture sector is adequately strengthened to become a major driver of the country’s economic development.
This was said by the Mashonaland Central Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Monica Mavhunga, last weekend when she officially launched the Rushinga Agricultural Development Centre (RADC) in Rushinga.
“Government is determined to support the agricultural sector so that it reaches its maximum contribution to the economy. As we are all aware, agriculture is the backbone of our economy and its success is also the success of our country. I hope the RADC I have just launched will be utilized to the fullest to improve people’s lives here in Rushinga,” said Minister Mavhunga.
The Minister added that the agriculture sector was strategic and she urged the youths to actively participate in agricultural activities.
“The sector (agriculture) is very strategic and key to the achievement of President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of attaining an Upper Middle Income Economy status by 2030. If done properly, agriculture is very rewarding and has the potential to positively turn around the fortunes of this country. I therefore urge our youths not to be spectators but active participants in agriculture in order to improve their lives,” added the Minister.
Minister Mavhunga highlighted that the agriculture sector was creating employment for thousands of people and said gone were the days when people would flock to urban areas in search of employment.
“It’s now old fashioned for people to flock to urban areas in search of employment leaving the land we fought for with no one to till. This land is our employment. Let’s utilize it and maximize production on our pieces of land,” said the Minister.
The Minister applauded the New Dispensation for constructing Semwa Dam in the Province and said the dam had potential to sustain irrigation activities that will transform lives of over 13 000 families.
She added that as a Province, they will use the devolution funds to spearhead projects that will uplift people lives.
The RADC launched in Rushinga is very strategic for research and impartation of skills to farmers in the Province.
The launch was attended by Rushinga legislator, Tendai Nyabani, Shamva legislator Joseph Mapiki, EmpowerBank CEO Shadreck Mhembere and officials from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement among other stakeholders.
