The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
A local lithium miner, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, which was recently wholly acquired by Chinese company Huayou Cobalt, has started supporting and empowering local farmers around its Arcadia Lithium Mine in Goromonzi, as part of initiatives that will include investments in health and education.
Some farmers in Goromonzi North recently received prizes for winning a local agriculture show that took place at Vhuta Primary School last week.
The show — organised by Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) department in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development — was part of preparations for the district, provincial and national exhibitions.
Scores of villagers participated in the dry show, exhibiting what agronomists described as high-quality produce that included vegetables, maize, poultry, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and a variety of small grains and sugar beans. Value-added products were also on display.
Speaking at the event, Goromonzi North Ward 13 councillor Mr Never Gotora said the exhibitions benefit local farmers.
“When people compete, there is motivation to produce high-quality products, and every farmer likes to win such that at the end of the day, there will only be the best results,” he said.
Mr Josephat Bhero, the lead Agritex officer responsible for organising the show, said farmers benefited from shows like these through interaction and exchanging seed varieties.
The overall winner of the show was Mrs Emilia Munamba (42), who scooped several awards from different categories.
Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe corporate social responsibility officer Ms Shylet Dandi assured farmers that the company would extend benefits of the investment towards improving lives of surrounding communities and providing a market for farmers.
