Staff Reporter
Kutsaga has donated Generation 4 (G4) seed potatoes worth US$16 900 to 13 irrigated gardens in Zaka, Chivi and Buhera districts, in a move set to improve food and nutrition security in vulnerable communities.
The donation, covering 6.5 hectares, was made in partnership with CARE Zimbabwe and is aimed at supporting table potato production in drought-prone areas.
The initiative was in line with Government policies on food security and seed potato self-sufficiency.
Speaking at the handover ceremony recently, Kutsaga Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Frank Magama, said the gesture was part of the organisation’s broader commitment to national development through applied agricultural research and community support.
“Kutsaga is proud to contribute to the Government’s food security agenda by providing high-quality seed potatoes. These potatoes are disease-free, early-maturing, and high-yielding varieties that are ideal for table production. We believe that this partnership with CARE Zimbabwe will translate research into tangible benefits for rural communities,” he said.
Dr. Magama added that the initiative demonstrates Kutsaga’s focus on fostering public-private partnerships to strengthen the agricultural value chain and build resilience in rural communities.
“This is more than just a donation; it is an investment in rural transformation, resilience building, and sustainable agriculture,” Dr. Magama said.
The seed potatoes, produced under strict phytosanitary conditions, are known for their productivity and resistance to disease.
Their distribution to grassroots farmers is expected to reduce reliance on imported seed and support the country’s import substitution policy.
CARE Zimbabwe Strategic Partnerships and Private Sector Engagement Manager, Ms. Rumbidzai Moyo,applauded the donation, saying it would empower smallholder farmers, particularly women and youths, with access to clean seed and new market opportunities.
“We thank Kutsaga for this timely donation, which aligns with our goal of building climate-smart food systems and empowering smallholder farmers. Access to clean seed is often the biggest barrier for rural farmers. This support from Kutsaga is strategic and timely. It will promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture and help communities break the cycle of hunger and poverty,” she said.
The programme also supports key Government strategies, including the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP) and the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy (AFSTS), which emphasise innovation, decentralisation, and community participation.
Kutsaga has recently intensified its corporate social responsibility drive, donating over 1.6 million gumtree seedlings in 2023 and supporting orphaned children in Kadoma last year through food and clothing donations.
