‘Integrate innovation, sustainability in business’

PRODUCERS should integrate innovation and sustainability modelling in their business operations including farming in order to steer robust economic growth towards attainment of the country’s Vision 2030 economic trajectory.

Mimosa Mining Company general manager, Eng Stephen Ndiyamba, said this on Saturday while officially opening the Midlands business exhibition, which was organised by the Midlands Show Society at Gweru Showgrounds.

The event brought together policy strategists, senior Government officials, industry leaders and academia from all over the country to showcase and discuss business opportunity and challenges facing the economy.

Mimosa Mining Company complex in Zvishavane

Eng Ndiyamba said it was critical to “integrate ideas for sustainable economic growth”, especially given the background of the Covid-19 disruptions, which also affected the agricultural sector growth and national development at large.

“As we emerge from the scourge of Covid-19, it’s imperative for businesses, corporates and our agricultural sector to find innovative strategies and solutions to operate while we nurse the wounds of the pandemic,” he said.

“The agriculture sector is urged to be innovative and creative in order to integrate ideas for sustainable economic growth and the attainment of the Vision 2030 economic trajectory.

“As you are all aware, agriculture is one of the strategic drivers of our nation’s economic growth as it provides employment to around 60-70 percent of the population of Zimbabwe and supplies 60 percent of raw materials needed in industry,” said Mr Ndiyamba.

He also urged corporates to invest more in corporate social responsibility by ploughing back to the communities that they operate in.

“As you may know, our core business as Mimosa is mining. But we have, however, taken a deliberate decision to invest beyond mining in projects that impact on the lives of the communities in which we operate and create lasting legacies, which will outline our mining operations,” said Eng Ndiyamba.

He said the mining company has initiated a Livestock Revitalisation Programme for local communities in Zvishavane and Mberengwa.

bulls

“We have so far donated over 400 bulls and 159 heifers since the inception of the programme in 2015. Furthermore, in 2020, we launched the artificial insemination programme to complement the breeding bulls programme with the objective to accelerate the herd genetics and, so far, the programme has had a success rate of above 70 percent,” said Eng Ndiyamba.

Mimosa has also participated in pursuing programmes like the refurbishment of dip tanks infrastructure in respective areas.

“In this note, I encourage all stakeholders to partner the Midlands Show Society and avail resources towards improving infrastructure and facilities at the showgrounds considering the need to accommodate the growing number of exhibitors,” he said.

dip tank

Meanwhile, Mimosa Mining Company donated a brand-new tractor to the Midlands Show Society and Eng Ndiyamba handed it over to the society’s manager, Mrs Victoria Chikukwa, and her team during the official opening ceremony.

“On our part as Mimosa, we certainly would like to increase our visibility at the Midlands Show going forward. In that regard, we are donating a tractor, which the show organisers have indicated is an urgent and immediate matter of need,” he said.

Over 140 companies took part in this year’s show, a positive signal that proves the growth of exhibition.

Last year 120 companies participated. There were 15 new exhibitors.

This year’s exhibition was held under the theme: “Focus, Innovate and Attain Sustainable Economic Development”.-chronicle.cl.zw