President Robert Mugabe has urged financial institutions to come on board and provide sufficiently tenured lower interest rates capital to enable both seasonal farming and capital investment activities.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the Harare Agricultural Show on Friday last week, Mugabe said land reform programme can only be a success if financial institutions and input suppliers to work closely with farmers.
“I urge input suppliers from seed, fertilizer and agro-chemical providers to work closely with farmers so that we continue to make the land reform programme a researching success.
“Financial institutions should come on board to provide sufficiently tenured capital of lower interest rates to enable both seasonal farming activities and capital investment to be under taken,” said Mugabe.
He urged all stakeholders to take full advantage of Command Agriculture in order to improve the livestock aspect of the agriculture sector adding that there is need to improve cattle, sheep and goats, poultry and fish breeding.
“In reviewing the agricultural season, it must be realized that the rearing of our cattle, sheep and goats, poultry, fish and other stock is in dire need of improvement.
“It is absolutely necessary that all stakeholders work together to revitalize this sector,” said Mugabe.
He added that more still needs to be done with respect to soya bean production, small grains, horticulture and fruits.
“This year while maize production has increased by over 280 per cent, cotton production also increased almost five fold.
“Thanks to the support that has been rendered by my Government to these enterprises.
“However more still needs to be done with respect to soya bean production, small grains, horticulture and fruits, said Mugabe.
