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Ellen Chasokela Herald Reporter
China has reiterated its commitment to work with Zimbabwe for mutual development in the agricultural sector to achieve food security by 2030.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of a donation of 10 165 tonnes of premium rice to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) in Harare last Friday, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, Dr Qian Keming, said: “Giving food to Zimbabwe is not enough. Helping Zimbabwe to produce more food and more jobs is key to agricultural development. As announced by President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, we will support Africa in achieving general food security by 2030 and work with Africa to formulate and implement a programme to promote China-Africa cooperation on agricultural modernisation.

“Towards that goal, we will continue to provide emergency humanitarian food assistance to Zimbabwe, encourage Chinese companies to increase investment in its agricultural industry, facilitate more imports of Zimbabwean agricultural products, and capacitate local experts and entrepreneurs through professional training.”

Dr Qian said China was determined to make lives of Zimbabweans better as part of growing Sino-Zimbabwe relations.

He added that China will work with Zimbabwe to unlock potential areas of bilateral cooperation to alleviate poverty, increase employment, income and improve livelihoods of Zimbabweans.

“China is committed to assisting Zimbabwe’s agricultural development. We have donated rice and fertiliser, provided agricultural equipment to relieve famine and boost production, despatched a total of 45 senior agricultural experts to share experiences with local experts and farmers, and aided an agricultural demonstration centre to transfer technology and know-how to Zimbabwean young farmers.

“This donation of 10 165 tonnes of rice is a response to the call of the Zimbabwean people for fight against widespread famine and cyclone aftermath relief,” said Dr Keming.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza, who received the donation, thanked China for its gratitude.

“On behalf of Government let me thank you for this generous support. It is my hope that your doors will remain open for us as we will keep on knocking since the effects of Cyclone Idai are still to come.

“Government will focus on resilience building programmes in our vulnerable districts. It is our hope that this cordial relationship with the People’s Republic of China will continue to grow stronger and stronger,” said Dr Nzenza.

She said the distribution of rice will focus on vulnerable households who include the elderly, chronically ill, persons with disabilities and child headed households, flood victims, victims of other natural disasters, registered institutions accommodating vulnerable children, schools and hospitals.