GZU launches traditional grains contract farming p...

GZU launches traditional grains contract farming programme in Chiredzi

Patience Muchemwa

The people of Chibwedziwa in Chiredzi have applauded the Great Zimbabwe University for launching a traditional grains contract farming programme in their district.

This comes as the Masvingo-based GZU this week launched the programme at a function graced by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Professor Amon Murwira.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, GZU Vice Chancellor, Professor Rungano Zvobgo said the centre is inspired by the need to adapt to aridity on the region.

“The Centre is inspired by the need to respond to the challenge of growing aridity in the face of climate change and variability in Southern Zimbabwe. The challenges posed by climate change and other forms of environmental change in dryland agricultural systems should ignite opportunities for heritage-based innovations, taking advantage of the wealth of information, experience and skills possessed by people living in these areas.

“It is against this background that promotion of traditional grains production, processing and consumption becomes one of the key programmes that the Centre has taken in order to ensure food security for local and urban communities in Zimbabwe,” Prof Zvobgo said.

The GZU Vice Chancellor added that traditional grains, among them sorghum, pearl and finger millet are ranked the second staple cereal crops after maize in the country and have increasingly played a critical role for the country’s food and nutritional security.

Chibwedziva is not the only contract project in the province as GZU is expecting traditional grains from other districts of the province

“We are expecting to collect around 430 tonnes of traditional grains and sunflower from Gutu, Chiredzi, Chivi, Zaka, Mwenezi and Masvingo districts this harvest period from 220 sub-contracted farmers.

“At this launch, we are witnessing around 60 tonnes from Chibwedziva alone. This traditional grains contract farming launch is culminating in the launch of the GZU milling company, which will process and market various traditional grain products, including meals, breakfast cereals, confectionary products, and drinks just to mention a few,” said Prof Zvobgo.

The project, Prof Zvobgo said, is expected to result in massive employment creation, increased uptake of traditional grain products, increased third income stream for the university and rural industrialisation.

Prof Zvobgo, who in December last year was ordained as bishop and leader of the African Reformed Church “Chibarigwe” founded by his father and headquartered at Shonganiso Mission in Masvingo, said GZU will be launching a livestock contract scheme soon.

“GZU, with support from Government through the Parent Ministry will soon be launching another contract scheme in the livestock area, namely the free range poultry production scheme.

“Where GZU will provide farmers with free range poultry chicks, feed, veterinary medicines and training and will buy the chickens for slaughter at our poultry abattoir which has a capacity to slaughter up to 3 000 chickens per day.

“All these efforts to establish the University’s traditional grain processing and value addition industry and free range poultry production and value addition industry will contribute towards poverty reduction, economic growth, greater resilience and social cohesion in the country,” Prof Zvobgo said.