News / National
'Shun corruption, focus on development,' says Mujuru
03 Oct 2013 at 18:55hrs | Views
Vice President Joice Mujuru has called on Zimbabweans to shun corruption and underhand dealings, but instead adopt innovative ways such as forming partnerships in their respective sectors to boost their incomes and the economy at large.
Vice President Mujuru, who was addressing farmers, government officials and agriculture experts at the graduation of Agritex officers and tobacco growers at Kutsaga Research Station, urged Zimbabweans to be innovative and form partnerships in their respective sectors so that they have enough for themselves and enough to boost the economy at large.
She said the current state where the government is importing maize and other agricultural products from neighbouring countries is undesirable.
"I urge industry and the banking sector to partner with the government in the provision of cheap finance, expertise and agricultural inputs so that the country has enough food stocks," said Cde Mujuru.
The Vice President said the government has noted with concern that some farmers are growing tobacco and maize in semi-arid regions suitable for small grains, thereby wasting resources.
She added that there is need for educational campaigns in all provinces.
Tobacco Research Board Chairperson, Dr Millicent Mombeshora said her organisation adopted tobacco improved productivity site training centres to train growers after realising that most of the 90 000 farmers have taken up tobacco production without undergoing the requisite training on how to produce quality tobacco.
"The initiative enables tobacco growers to mitigate the negative effects of deforestation caused by curing tobacco, as each grower that purchases tobacco seeds from the research station receives a pack of gum seeds to plant a hectare," she said.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Joseph Made commended the collaboration between the growers, Agritex and the Tobacco Research Board, saying it will assist in producing the quality desired by the markets.
Over 12 000 tobacco growers were trained during the 2011-12 season under the Tobacco Improved Productivity Site Programme in the 15 regions of the country.
Tobacco accounted for 21,8 percent of all total exports.
It contributed almost 11 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) last year.
Vice President Mujuru, who was addressing farmers, government officials and agriculture experts at the graduation of Agritex officers and tobacco growers at Kutsaga Research Station, urged Zimbabweans to be innovative and form partnerships in their respective sectors so that they have enough for themselves and enough to boost the economy at large.
She said the current state where the government is importing maize and other agricultural products from neighbouring countries is undesirable.
"I urge industry and the banking sector to partner with the government in the provision of cheap finance, expertise and agricultural inputs so that the country has enough food stocks," said Cde Mujuru.
The Vice President said the government has noted with concern that some farmers are growing tobacco and maize in semi-arid regions suitable for small grains, thereby wasting resources.
She added that there is need for educational campaigns in all provinces.
"The initiative enables tobacco growers to mitigate the negative effects of deforestation caused by curing tobacco, as each grower that purchases tobacco seeds from the research station receives a pack of gum seeds to plant a hectare," she said.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Joseph Made commended the collaboration between the growers, Agritex and the Tobacco Research Board, saying it will assist in producing the quality desired by the markets.
Over 12 000 tobacco growers were trained during the 2011-12 season under the Tobacco Improved Productivity Site Programme in the 15 regions of the country.
Tobacco accounted for 21,8 percent of all total exports.
It contributed almost 11 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) last year.
Source - zbc
