VP Chiwenga charmed by local fertiliser production

Selina Nyamangara

Herald Correspondent

VICE President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, accompanied by his wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Chiwenga, yesterday toured various stands at the 116th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, where he expressed satisfaction with the exhibitions and innovations being showcased, particularly in local fertiliser production.

The VP, who spent time visiting exhibitors across the fertiliser, seed, livestock, mining, agricultural machinery and chemical sections, said the country’s growing capacity to manufacture fertiliser locally would ensure farmers have reliable access to critical inputs while strengthening the entire agricultural value chain.

“More importantly, I was impressed by the fertiliser sector; their thrust in trying to have all the fertilisers produced here in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Increasing local fertiliser production, added VP Chiwenga, would benefit seed producers and farmers by guaranteeing the availability of inputs needed to maximise production.

“What that does, it makes everyone now produce to the maximum,” he said.

VP Chiwenga said strengthening domestic fertiliser manufacturing was central to Government’s broader strategy of building a self-sufficient agricultural sector capable of supporting increased crop production.

“We want to develop this area of having our own fertiliser manufacturing capacity,” he said.

His remarks come five months after he toured several industrial companies, including local fertiliser manufacturing plants, where he assessed progress in expanding domestic production capacity ahead of the 2026/27 summer cropping season.

VP Chiwenga also lauded the development of new wheat and maize seed varieties, particularly short-season varieties, saying they would play an important role in helping farmers adapt to changing weather patterns.

“I am quite happy with the new wheat variety and the maize variety; the short-season varieties, especially as we look into this year where we are expecting a Super El Nino,” he said.

Beyond the fertiliser sector, the VP toured livestock exhibitions, where he welcomed improvements in breeding, animal husbandry and technologies aimed at supporting growth of the national herd.

“We went to the animal section, the livestock section; they have a 50 percent, which means from the rural farmer to the commercial farmer, there is great improvement in that area.

“Now we want to see how we can sustain our livestock.”

He also applauded locally manufactured farming innovations, including mobile deep tanks, saying such technologies would improve livestock management, especially in rural communities.

VP Chiwenga further welcomed the increased participation in this year’s agricultural showcase, with 640 exhibition stands fully occupied and a notable rise in foreign exhibitors.

He said the overall quality of exhibitions had improved significantly from last year’s edition, reflecting continued growth and innovation across Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.

The 116th ZAS, which ends today, brought together local and international exhibitors, showcasing innovations, technologies and investment opportunities across the country’s agricultural value chain.