Maravi

(HERALD) Governor promotes urban agiculture

Governor promotes urban agiculture
Herald Reporter

HARARE Metropolitan Governor Cde David Karimanzira has urged residents to make use of open spaces around their communities to carry out farming activities to supplement their incomes and stabilise food prices.

He described farming as another way of boosting income, which can help reduce the prices of food stuffs. "Although farming was regarded as dirty and only for the rural people, it can also be done in urban areas to supplement families’ income."

Cde Karimanzira made the remarks at Highfield District Dry Show, last Friday, where urban farmers were exhibiting their crops in preparation of the Harare Agricultural Show, to be held in August.

Cde Karimanzira said maize production for the 2009- 2010-farming season in the capital increased significantly from 5,5 tonnes per hectare to 6,5 tonnes per hectare.

"Last farming season we had on average 5,5 tonnes per hectare and this time have more than 6,5 tonnes per hectare," Cde Karimanzira said.

He said the hectares that came under farming this last season increased significantly compared to the previous year, as more people demanded land for farming.

"We have reduced the number of hectares to be given to an individual from two hectares to one hectare so that everyone gets a piece of land," Cde Karimanzira said.

"Farming is not restricted to rural people only. We are saying where there is land people should grow something even at their backyards."

The governor said more than 12 000 hectares of land came under urban farming last year, an increase of 3 000 hectares from 9 000 the previous year.

He commended the city of Harare for giving land to urban farmers saying the move contributed significantly to the land reform programme.

"Land reform should not only end in the rural areas but also come to the urban areas because we have open spaces in the province and we thank the city fathers for allowing our farmers to grow their crops."

Cde Karimanzira, however, warned the farmers against farming close to the riverbanks.

Farmers who excelled at the dry show walked away with prizes and would be given a chance to showcase their produce at the Harare Agricultural Show this year.

Labels: DAVID KARIMANZIRA, HARARE, URBAN FARMING

posted by MrK @ 5:27 PM