CFI provides market for young farmers
LEADING agricultural-based industrial group CFI Holdings Limited has signed an agreement to provide young farmers with a ready market for their produce as part of efforts to improve profitability and reduce post-harvest losses.
The development is expected to boost agricultural production and financially empower young farmers who for many years have been struggling to sell their produce profitably due to lack of access to lucrative markets.
Under the agreement, CFI will initially purchase 100 000 tonnes of grain from members of the Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Zimbabwe (FYFCZ).
To ensure that the farmers are adequately capacitated, Vaya Digital Farmer would provide financing, irrigation equipment, tillage, soil testing and logistics services to resource and aid production of the crop.
Speaking at a launch of the partnership in Harare on Friday at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, Agriculture Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said the partnership mirrors the future of agriculture in Zimbabwe.
“This gesture is purely in support of the ministry’s position and intention where the advocacy is for the private sector to lead agriculture transformation while the Government facilitates their participation,” he said, adding that the programme will benefit all the parties involved.
“Today we are witnessing the signing of trust documents that give life to a lifelong relationship between the FYFCZ and CFI Holdings. The establishment of the trust fund will allow the loyalty of the young farmers to the CFI Group to be rewarded through a point system that will be accrued to each loyal member providing product discounts and funding opportunities to high scoring members,” Deputy Minister Haritatos said.
He noted that the Government has plans to increase farmers’ income to between US$4 500 and US$12 000 per annum through collaborative efforts as a way of improving livelihoods and meeting the country’s vision of achieving an upper middle-income status by 2030.
“My ministry will continue to provide a conducive environment to allow the partnership to thrive,” he said.
FYFCZ vice president Ms Chiedza Hari said the federation, whose members have grown to over 5 000, was satisfied with the partnership, which is expected to capacitate farmers with access to finance and markets.
“As young farmers we have an opportunity to transform the agriculture sector,” she said at the same event.
Ms Rutendo Chidemo, a legal officer with CFI, said the listed group was looking forward to prioritise famers in the value chain.
Mr Denias Zaranyika, the FYFCZ chairman, said the phenomenal growth of the 2020/21 farming season was perfect catalyst for achieving even higher output and new records going into the future.
“The young farmers’ mission and mandate is to transform the agricultural space to gain sustenance in the agricultural industry,” he said.-The Chronicle
