THE Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) today hosted members of the Foreign Military Attachés Association at its Antelope Estate for a familiarisation tour of key development projects being implemented across the country.
The visit offered the delegation an opportunity to appreciate Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation efforts on the ground, particularly initiatives aimed at boosting productivity and strengthening food security.
Speaking on the sidelines of the tour, Defence Attaché for the United Kingdom to Zimbabwe, Lieutenant Colonel Alastair Kern, commended ARDA’s efforts to strengthen national food security and deliver meaningful socio-economic benefits within surrounding communities.
Echoing these sentiments, Zambia’s Defence Attaché to Zimbabwe, Brigadier General Maggie Nakamba, described the programme as impactful and worth emulating, noting that she would explore the possibility of implementing similar initiatives in her home country.
The delegation also expressed keen interest in the wheat production programme, with ARDA targeting 65,000 hectares this season as Zimbabwe consolidates gains towards wheat self-sufficiency. In Matabeleland South Province, a total of 4,000 hectares has been set aside for wheat production, with ARDA responsible for 3,100 hectares.
ARDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Tinotenda Mhiko, confirmed that planting is progressing well and remains on course to meet, and potentially surpass, the provincial target.
Director Operations Washington Katiyo shared the same sentiments, noting that ARDA remains committed to good agronomics in driving productivity and ensuring optimal yields.
The delegation comprised defence attachés from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Zambia, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Belarus, Mozambique and Namibia, reflecting growing international interest in Zimbabwe’s agricultural development trajectory.
