Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE lives of the Shurugwi community is set to be transformed after a Chinese mining company in the district has vowed to initiate commercial agriculture-related activities in line with the government’s Agriculture 8.0 policy.
It is a shot in the arm for the Shurugwi community as an emerging mining giant, Chengetai Chenxi Mine made a donation of 60 000 metric tonnes of mealie meal to complement government efforts in the fight against El-Nino-induced drought.
It emerged during the donation that the mining company has lined up a number of projects to empower the Shurugwi community and fight the effects of climate change.
“This is the beginning of bigger things to come for the Shurugwi community. We are going to continue to provide them with mealie meal so that no one starves during this drought season. We are also going to make sure that we set up an irrigable 1 hectare nutritional garden per ward so that people can be empowered and farm throughout the year while generating income. In the second phase, we will provide villagers with domestic animals like poultry, goats and pigs. The idea is to empower them so that they become self-sustainable,” said the General Manager of Chengetai Chenxi Mine, Mr Simon Karimanzira.
The community is equally excited by the projects being generated by the mining company.
Shurugwi North Legislator, Honourable Joseph Mpasi said, “As a constituency, we are very happy with the projects being spearheaded by this mining company. Apart from ensuring food security for the Shurugwi people, they are also rehabilitating roads which is making life for the people in the community easier. I want to urge other miners to emulate their good work.”
“We are very happy that the mining company has remembered us during these trying times. We are excited that they have vowed to continue helping us overcome the hunger in our community and its quite commendable,” said one of the beneficiaries.
Government commended the mining company for its sound corporate responsibility programmes.
“This noble initiative exhibited by the mining company, directly augments the Second Republic’s Drought Relief Programme underpinned by the Zunde raMambo and other social safety nets availed through the Department of Social Welfare as well as Development Partners. These food support systems aim to achieve household Food and Nutrition Security derived from the National Development Strategy (1) which is a plan for the realisation of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa’s position that no one should die of hunger under the Second Republic,” said Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube.
In April this year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the El-Nino-induced drought a national disaster, with development partners expected to come on board to cushion vulnerable households.
