Belarus gets credit for helping Zimbabwe achieve food security

Zimbabwe appreciates Belarus' contribution to resolving Zimbabwe's food security issues, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe Frederick Shava told reporters after his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Aleinik in Minsk on 27 March, BelTA has learned.

According to him, bilateral contacts were established several years ago: “This cooperation did not begin today or last year. It began when our incumbent president visited Minsk (he was vice president back then) to explore the possibilities of cooperation in technology and other fields. “He continued to deepen relations between the two countries, he paid another visit to Belarus in 2019 to discuss consolidation of efforts. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has recently visited Zimbabwe to compare notes on progress made.”

The Zimbabwean foreign minister also spoke about the assistance provided by Belarus. According to him, Zimbabwe is able to maintain food security largely thanks to Belarus, including its assistance with agricultural mechanization. “Now we produce enough grain crops, including wheat, to be able to feed our people,” the foreign minister said.

He went on saying: “This is a win-win cooperation, and we hope that we will be able to cooperate in the same way in technology, manufacturing and mining.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe Frederick Shava is paying an official visit to Belarus on 26-30 March.

Following the recent state visit of the Belarusian president to Zimbabwe, the government approved the roadmap for the implementation of the reached agreements. The document includes 65 events in various areas: political and diplomatic, trade and economic, agricultural, military and technical, healthcare and medical science, investments, energy, equipment supplies and maintenance. Belarus will also continue its participation in the program to modernize and mechanize agriculture in Zimbabwe.