The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
Manicaland farmers are set benefit from an agreement between Zimbabwe and China which will see their agricultural produce finding their way to supermarket shelves in the Asian country.
China, which is Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend, has also drilled 200 boreholes in Manicaland, which will guarantee the farmers’ access to clean and reliable water.
Masvingo and Matabeleland South got 150 boreholes each.
The 500 boreholes were handed over to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, at Clare Secondary School in Odzi last week on Friday.
China also pledged to drill 300 more boreholes. Speaking during the official hand-over ceremony of 500 boreholes drilled under the China Aid initiative, Charge de Affaires China Embassy, Mr Cheng Yen said his country will maintain its unwavering support, commitment, and steadfastness, anchored on infrastructure development, diplomatic support and improving people’s livelihoods
“We will establish mushroom and grass projects in Zimbabwe, and further increase local farmers’ income.
“We are now discussing more exports of Zimbabwean agricultural products, including blueberries and dried chillies.
“We have also signed an agreement with Zimbabwe for the export of fresh citrus to China. Zimbabwean oranges, mandarins and lemons will be sold in Chinese supermarkets very soon, which will definitely bring tangible results to Zimbabwean farmers.
“We will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest more in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector. With the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Mnangagwa, the China-Zim friendly cooperation will deliver more fruitful results and bring more benefits to our people,” he said.
“We are going to welcome another team of Chinese agricultural experts to Zimbabwe for agriculture demonstration villages.
“We actively support Zimbabwe’s development and provide effective assistance to enhance its self-driven development capacity.
“Our assistance focuses on infrastructure development and manufacturing-related sectors so as to meet the country’s urgent needs,” he said.
Mr Yen said China will assist Zimbabwe as the southern African nation pursues Vision 2030.
“China will continue to support agriculture and rural development in Zimbabwe. The Chinese government will assist with another 300 boreholes,” he said.
Mr Yen cited major projects spearheaded by China under the Second Republic, including the New Parliament in Mt Hampden, the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse in Mutare, expansion of Kariba South Hydro and Hwange Thermal Power Stations, as well as the upgrading of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Victoria Falls International Airports, among others.
Mr Yen went on to call for the removal of sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe.
“We firmly oppose any illegal sanctions against Zimbabwe under the pretexts of the so-called democracy, freedom or human rights. China urges western countries to immediately lift all the illegal sanctions,” he said.
Mr Yen said the unilateral sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe must be lifted as they were a crime against humanity.
“The assistance and cooperation from friendly countries, including China, are powerful weapons and solid shields for Zimbabwe to resist the illegal sanctions,” said Mr Yen.
“The grants and financial support by China always follow the principles of openness and transparency. China never imposes its ideology on Zimbabwe or meddle in her internal affairs,” he said.
He also said western countries lack the moral obligation to criticize the China-Zimbabwe cooperation as they are depriving the country of lines of credit.
“Any country criticising the China-Zimbabwe cooperation should take action first to build roads, power plants, water supplies, factories, hospitals and schools in the country.
“Otherwise they are in no position to point fingers at our cooperation,” he said.
Dr Masuka applauded China’s gesture.
“Indeed we appreciate the support from the Chinese government — our all-weather friend. Approximately 23 percent of the country’s population does not have access to clean and safe water.
“Under the Rural Development 8.0 Programme, Government has embarked on an ambitious borehole drilling programme where 35 000 boreholes, one per village, will be drilled and connected to solar.
“In addition, Government will drill 9 600 boreholes in all schools across the country.
“To date, Zinwa has drilled over 800 boreholes,” he said.
Dr Masuka also said President Mnangagwa launched the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy to ensure food security, elimination of imports, increased exports, value addition and beneficiation, employment creation and improved livelihoods.
