A newly borehole drilling company owned by a Zimbabwean born and South African based businessman Thomas Chapeta has volunteered to give a hand to the small scale communal farmers in Zimbabwe.

This comes in after the President of the nation, His Excellency Comrade Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa spoke clear to the people of Zimbabwe to give a hand in anything they can so as to help the country’s economy.

Chapeta Fresh Water Supplies has its main offices in Harare, a second branch in Gweru and a third branch in Masvingo. It is a newly established company hence has volunteered to give a hand so as to promote their services as well.

Agriculture has been Zimbabwe’s backbone since way back and the country used to be the breadbasket of SADC region. Many people in the country rely on farming and since the country hasn’t been receiving rains, the help being given by the drilling company is vital. Many families will get back on farming through making use of borehole water to water their plants hence many farmers will have an opportunity to boost their businesses so as to take care of their families. 

Speaking at an interview held during the Agriculture machinery launch in the capital Harare, Thomas Chapeta the owner of the drilling company said, they are quite happy to be amongst some other organizations that are giving a hand to the local farmers. “It is clear that we have now decided to make life easier for our local farmers”, said Mr Chapeta.

The aim of the company is to revolutionize local agriculture sector by connecting small scale communal farmers with other farmers beyond our border. The company wants to give a hand from poultry to vegetables growing.

The issue of cash shortages, waterlogging, drought, crop pests and shortage of fertilizers are threatening agricultural production in Zimbabwe. Nationally a majority of households in the country practice agriculture as their primary livelihood thus according to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee.

In an interview with Mr Chipenyu, one of the local farmers in Gweru asked on how important was it forthe company to give a hand to farmers. Mr Chipenyu had this to say, “I amreally happy for myself and for each and every farmer nationwide, we have had abad season last year because of the shortage of rains but this year hopefullywe are going to have a better season since we are going to have boreholes thatwill help us to water our plants”. The farmer applauded the owner of thedrilling company and also the President for letting the company give a hand tofarmers.

The country hasn’t been receiving rains lately and most of the dams are running dry nationwide hence giving a problem to Zinwa as they are failing to provide adequate water for all. Zinwa Personal, Dr Sakupwanya had this to say, “On behalf of Zinwa, we would like to thank Chapeta Fresh Water Supplies for giving a hand in drilling boreholes, hopefully it will benefit not only farmers but each and every one in the community with these newly drilled boreholes, we have had problems with rains this year but as for now we thank Chapeta for being lifesavers”

The other reasons why the company is giving a hand to the local farmers is that they need to build a community model that allows Zimbabweans/foreigners local and abroad to venture into farming and agriculture at the touch of a button while empowering local farmers and boosting production and security of food in Zimbabwe.  

ZIMBABWEAN Vice President Constantine Chiwenga alongside Minister of Agriculture Perrance Shiri addressed farmers at Precabe farm in Mazowe last month.

‘We fought for the land reform programme and now we should fight enough to produce for the nation. Minerals will diminish but Agriculture will remain relevant forever”, said Perrance Shiri.

Minister Shiri went on to invite the Vice President to the podium and described Comrade Chiwenga as a brave leader who led the operation restore legacy peacefully.

“Farmers should emulate the President as we strive to have enough grain to feed the nation. Zimbabwe has enough resources and expertise as evidenced by the success of Command Agriculture”, said the Vice President Cde Chiwenga.

In an interview with Mr Pfachi, a Mazowe based commercial farmer of Sub-division 38 Fairview Farm, Mazowe who is also a beneficiary of command agriculture, he applauded the introduction of command agriculture and mentioned its effectiveness since it came into use. Mr Pfachi had this to say, “l had a bumper harvest in the season 2017/18 and this was achieved through principled and well calculated agricultural practices, top among them being the application of lime after soil analysis and timely planting”, he also added by applauding the president as well as the introduction of command agriculture.

VP Chiwenga applauded seed marketers, Seedco and Sakunda Holdings for supporting Command Agriculture.

In another interview with the Agritex officer, Mrs Yolanda Mangwiro, asked on her take on the issue of command agriculture. Mrs Mangwiro had this to say, “The success of command agriculture depends on a number of key factors, the most critical one being farmers competitiveness, farmers should be in a position to compete so as to produce significant scale which is also profitable.

“We did not receiveenough rains but the President managed to do wonders, we should now focus onirrigation as we have more than 10 000 dams with some being idle said VPChiwenga”.

VP Chiwenga said the country must move forward with the mantra, “Zimbabwe is open for business” and support the President’s engagement efforts.

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