PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has reiterated the importance of the country’s agricultural sector in anchoring the country’s economy.
The President said this as he officially commissioned the Champion Foods milling plant which has the capacity to produce 500 metric tonnes of maize meal and 200 metric tonnes of wheat per day in Tynwald, Harare this Wednesday.
The coming onboard of the new milling plant boosts the country’s milling capacity as it adds to already existing ones.
Upon arrival at the plant, President Mnangagwa toured the premises where he was taken through the various stages of production.
The President was impressed with the infrastructure.
“I congratulate Champion Foods Private Limited for the entrepreneurial initiative as well as the great milestones realised at this site. The contributions you are set to make in the agricultural value addition space are welcome. To this end the massive milling plant will help complement the current local milling capacity, increase our product volumes, create employment opportunities and export-led production,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also spoke on the importance of the agricultural sector in the country’s economic growth.
“The importance of agriculture as the engine for Zimbabwe’s sustainable economic development cannot be over-emphasised. As you are aware, over 70% of livelihoods are indirectly linked to the agriculture sector. The sector has great potential to leapfrog the economy, given its capacity to influence the development of various services such as manufacturing, financing, insurance, and logistics among others.”
Given Zimbabwe’s vast tracts of fertile land and abundant water bodies, President Mnangagwa said food self-sufficiency remains the government’s top priority.
“We are a nation capable of producing and feeding ourselves. Hence in the ongoing transformation journey, all the necessary support shall be rendered so that the sector’s contribution to the overall growth of the economy will continue to surpass yesteryear records.”
President Mnangagwa took the opportunity to assure the nation that those in need of food would be assisted as the country had a poor summer cropping season due to the Elnino-induced drought.
“We want to ensure that everyone gets food. We did not get good rains but the Second Republic will ensure everyone gets food,” President Mnangagwa said.
Discussion about this post