MUTARE Zimbabwe Agro Industries said on Monday it would launch agricultural programmes and projects that seek to promote contract farming to boost productivity and improve farmers welfare.Projects would be launched in all provinces, with the first in Manicaland at the beginning of next month.
“It is our hope that the participation by many farmers will go a long way towards influencing policy changes that create an enabling environment for increased production and improved welfare of farmers, said projects manager Thomas Muswe
We are calling on the private sector to take a keen interest and play a leading role in supporting the agricultural sector, which is the source of raw materials for most companies, he added.
We are already working with companies in this venture of contract farming. We are looking forward to work with Delta Corporation, the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe and the Grain Marketing Board among other companies, said Muswe.
Under contract farming, the contractor provides a farmer with inputs, agronomic advice and finance for crop production while the farmer sells the financed crop to the contractor. The practice has in most cases resulted in increased production of crops.
Post published in: Economy