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Phelekezela Mphoko

Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday said smallholder farmers have the potential to feed the nation judging by the exhibits they brought to the Harare Agricultural Show this year. He said this during a tour of agricultural stands yesterday that included, Alpha and Omega, Gushungo Holdings, the livestock section, Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, Veterinary Distributors and PSMAS. He also toured the John Deere and Seed Co stands.

VP Mphoko said what he saw at the farmers’ produce section showed that no one was going to starve. “I have seen that farmers have great potential. We can’t die of hunger. I have seen high quality produce — sweet potatoes and pumpkins,” he said. “I was impressed by the livestock especially the healthy cattle I saw. Despite the foot and mouth disease in some areas, farmers have managed to bring their cattle,” he said. VP Mphoko raised concern over climate change and said government was working on coming up with solutions to the challenges that have resulted from the phenomenon.

“There’s a problem of climate change, but we will find solutions. Indications are that we’re going somewhere,” he said. VP Mphoko said he was thrilled by the livestock section where producers lined up with their animals. Among the animals on exhibition were Boar goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens and pigs. At Gushungo Holdings and Alpha Omega, he was shown around the production processes of the several dairy products. The 105th Harare Agricultural Show has registered an increase in the agricultural produce from last year’s 217 to 320. ZAS public relations officer Heather Madombwe said livestock entries had increased from 417 last year to 466 this year.

“We’ve eight foreign exhibitors this year; an increase of one from the previous show; there are 425 commercial stands compared to 439 during the same period last year,” Madombwe said. The show is running under the theme: “Enhancing Productivity: Managing Climate Change Through Efficient Marketing Systems”.