HARARE, Apr. 21 (NewsDay Live) — The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) on Tuesday hosted members of the Foreign Military Attachés Association at its Antelope Estate for a high-level familiarisation tour of ongoing agricultural projects, drawing rare public praise from Western and African defence officials.
The delegation — comprising attachés from the United Kingdom, the United States, Zambia, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Belarus, Mozambique and Namibia — toured initiatives aimed at boosting productivity and strengthening national food security, a key strategic priority for Zimbabwe.
Speaking on the sidelines, UK Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Alastair Kern commended ARDA’s efforts to strengthen domestic food systems and deliver tangible socio-economic benefits to surrounding communities.
Zambia’s Defence Attaché Brigadier General Maggie Nakamba described the programme as “impactful and worth emulating,” adding that she would explore replicating similar initiatives in her home country.
The delegation showed particular interest in Zimbabwe’s wheat production drive, with ARDA targeting 65,000 hectares nationally this season as part of efforts to achieve wheat self-sufficiency. In Matabeleland South Province, 4,000 hectares have been allocated for wheat production, with ARDA directly managing 3,100 hectares.
ARDA chief executive officer Tinotenda Mhiko said planting was progressing well and remained on course to meet — and potentially exceed — the provincial target.
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Director of operations Washington Katiyo said the authority remained committed to sound agronomic practices to drive productivity and ensure optimal yields.
The tour highlights growing international diplomatic and military interest in Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation strategy as Harare seeks to consolidate food security gains following years of production volatility.
