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Dr Mpofu, who is also Member of the House of Assembly for Umguza Constituency in Matabeleland North Province, has helped put the community of Umguza on the national agricultural map as a result of his success in both ranching and crop production.

He attained a doctorate in Policy Studies, which he did with the Zimbabwe Open University (Zou) last year and his thesis was an analysis of the tripartite negotiations in Zimbabwe and the various efforts put in place to create consented resolutions.

After his graduation, his family threw a party in January which was attended by about 10 000 people from all walks of life. The party was meant to celebrate his graduation as well as his 60th birthday.

Boasting of a large herd of cattle at Green Haven Farm in Umguza, a chain of properties in Bulawayo and around Matabeleland North Province, Dr Mpofu who has made a difference even in the mining sector, has emerged as one of the successful farmers in Matabeleland region and the country as a whole.  There was a field day at Dr Mpofu’s farm, Mswelangubo, more than 20km out of Bulawayo in Ward 9 on Tuesday.

Seed Co, a seed company that seeks to empower farmers both small and large scale by giving them inputs, co-ordinated the field day.
Dr Mpofu has four hectares under maize to be sold as green mealies which is at tasseling stage and about five hectares of cabbage which are almost ready for the market.

Other crops include tomatoes, green pepper and butternut, which has already been harvested.

Addressing farmers from wards 8, 9 and 16 as well as farmers from Umguza Irrigation Lots where the farm is located, the farm  manager, Mr Innocent Ncube said Dr Mpofu had become successful because he followed recommendations from experts such as  Agritex officers.

He said they had already harvested about seven hectares of potatoes which were all sold to Bulawayo markets and were preparing land to plant more horticultural crops.

Speaking at the occasion, Umguza District Administrator Mrs Ennety Sithole who was the Guest of Honour appealed to financial institutions to make available loans to farmers.

“Financial institutions should advance loans to farmers to enable them to buy inputs and meet other cost,” she said.

Farmers spoken to during the field day said their major challenge was lack of capital.
Mr Andrew Ndlovu, whose plot is under cabbages and carrots, said financial institutions should use Grain Marketing Board records to screen loan applicants.

Seed Co Extension Services manager, Mr Ivan Craig challenged farmers to choose seeds that are suitable for their  natural farming regions to maximise on production.