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Judith Phiri

Bulawayo Bureau

FARMERS have been urged to prioritise farming crops on demand and aid Government’s Agriculture and Food System Transformation strategy which seeks to achieve a US$8,2 billion agriculture economy by 2025 and increase the contribution of agriculture to the GDP from 12 to 20 percent.

Speaking as the guest of honour at a tour visit of the Matobo District Agricultural Centre of Excellence (DACE) last Thursday, Agricultural Research, Innovation and Development Directorate, deputy director of crops Mr Victor Chingwara said as the country moves toward to attainment of vision 2030 farmers should prioritise farming key crops that will aid import substitution.

“The DACE is in line with the Government’s thrust of being a prosperous and upper middle-income economy by 2030. There are various projects being carried out by Government in the Agriculture and Food System Transformation strategy launched by the President Mnangagwa last year. 

“As farmers be fully involved and take part in these projects meant to bring about agriculture production and productivity, highlight challenges being faced in the sector and possible solutions to the challenges. There is need to focus on crops that are on demand to assist with import substitution.”

He noted that some of the major crops were maize, wheat and soya beans that can allow the country to manufacture most products locally. 

Mr Chingwara said: “The recovery plan encourages import substitution by locally farming crops such as soya beans so that we can manufacture our own cooking oil. Also, if we farm more wheat as well that can assist us to easily make bread in our country without having to import the flour.”