Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Settlement, Davis Marapira yesterday hailed smallholder farmers for playing a big role in the economic development of the country.
Marapira who was the guest of honor at Seed Co Communal Farmers Field Day at Rattray Arnold Research Station where the seed producing company was teaching farmers on best farming practices.
“It is more significantly a fact that the communal farming sector contributes to the economic development of our agro-based economy.
“Studies have also shown that smallholders farmers play an important role in poverty reduction.
“Events of this kind give stakeholders in the agriculture sector the know how to help minimize the risk and maximize the opportunities for small scale agriculture,” said Mharapira.
The event was attend by communal farmers from all the country’s provinces and other stakeholders for other Southern African countries.
Marapira hailed the seed producing company for working closely with farmers saying this is helping the country derive maximum benefits from the agriculture sector.
”This should be how it should be, for farmers working closely with their stakeholders to ensure that they derive maximum benefits from your products and it is great that you Seed Co are doing this in all parts of the country.
