the construction of an Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre at Gwebi College outside Harare, Zimbabwe with assistance from the Chinese government is almost 90 percent complete.
This follows China's pledge at the 2006 Sino-Africa Summit in Beijing to work on an eight-point plan to establish agricultural demonstration centres in Africa.
"Zimbabwe was identified as one of the countries for the construction of demonstration centres and this is going to enable the country to exhibit Chinese machinery and equipment. Instead of going to China we will have the machinery here. The centre will enable local farmers to acquire skills and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to food security," Agriculture Minister Joseph Made said.
Made said after training, farmers would be able to choose appropriate machinery for their activities, process their produce and sell finished products.
The centre will benefit the Southern Africa region.
Minister Made said the centre would concentrate on irrigation development. China is an international leader in drip irrigation technologies.
Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Harare Mr Hu Ming said the centre would employ 200 people and enrol 120 students.
"This is the demonstration of the friendship between Zimbabwe and China. The two countries have been working together for a long time and we would like to further our economic relations through agriculture," he said.
The Herald
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