CAIRNS Holdings has re-launched its pea beans outgrowers programme in a move set to benefit 1 800 farmers countrywide.
BY KENNETH NYANGANI
The food processor launched the programme at Cashel Valley in Chimanimani East on Thursday, where local farmers were handed over pea bean seed.
The out-grower scheme, which was shelved in 2007 due to the falling economy, will capacitate farmers with inputs and a ready market.
Cairns chief executive officer, Nancy Guzha said her company was on a rebound, hence, the assistance to farmers.
“We are going to give you seeds and an agronomist, whom you are going to work with because we want the best product from you. It’s a national programme and we are going to other provinces as well, but we started here because Cashel Valley has a special meaning to us. Our brand is named Cashel Valley,’’ she said.
“We are urging you to follow instructions from our agronomist because we want to produce the best quality so that we will return and buy the beans, we are encouraging you to be loyal to us and you should not sell the products to other buyers.’’
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The out-grower scheme was launched only four months after Cairns came out of judiciary management, amid a renewed drive for the company to play its part in the resuscitation of the manufacturing sector in the country.
Cairns operations manager, Joseph Mavu said various households would benefit from the scheme, adding farmers were selected through Agricultural Research Extension officers.
“When it is fully operational, the Cairns scheme is targeting to cover 800 hectares, of which 500 hectares will be in Manicaland, while the remaining hectares will be absorbed by other provinces,” he said. “Approximately 1 100 households are expected to benefit from the scheme in Manicaland, while 660 in other provinces.’’
Energy and Power Development minister Samuel Undenge and his wife Letina attended the event.
