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“It is disappointing that all our expectations have been dampened. There is no hope at all now and we do not even know where we will start,” said a farmer from Umguza District.
The Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union vice-president, Mr Abdul Nyathi, blamed the Government for pulling in different directions.
“That statement has nothing for agriculture and shows that we are going nowhere as a country. The problem is that the Government is not agreeable when it comes to giving priority to agriculture. Financing agriculture is now more like politicking which is why the Cabinet and Minister Biti always disagree on releasing funds,” said Mr Nyathi.
He said as farmers they wanted to play their role and provide food but Government did not support that.
Mr Nyathi said there was no way Minister Biti could say farmers should finance themselves because he also knew that financial institutions were reluctant to give funds.
“We are now confused as farmers because banks have categorically said they would not risk losing their money by financing farmers,” he said.
Mr Donald Khumalo, the president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union concurred.
He urged the Government to seriously consider financing farmers adding that they were tired of piecemeal programmes.
“We wish there could be some seriousness in the Government because agriculture is the cornerstone of the economy. If nothing is done it then follows that the economy would suffer. We expect more seriousness from all those ministers involved in agriculture to discuss and agree on tangible policies. It is a mockery that the minister can release money to buy grain outside the country but fail to finance farmers who can produce more and provide food,” Mr Khumalo said.
He said the future of farmers was gloomy unless Government played its role.
“We challenge the powers that be to avail a serious budget because as it is we are fast approaching the farming season but we do not know what programmes are in place for farmers. It is not a secret that banks are not giving funds to farmers and Government as the sole policy maker should play a leading role,” said Mr Khumalo.
Another farmer, Mrs Irene Maphenduka, who is also the vice president of the ZCFU, said there was no way the agriculture sector could be revived without funding.
She urged the Government to alternatively avail funds for small livestock and grains if it could not afford to finance cattle and crop production.
“It is painful to us as farmers because there is no way we can revive the sector without funding. The future is gloomy unless something is done as a matter of urgency. There is a need for people to come together and plan for their future. We are planning a congress on 17 August to strategise on what should be done to be sustainable,” said Mrs Maphenduka.
She said Zimbabweans would beg for food from other countries because of poor policy making.
The country imports grain from countries such as Zambia, South Africa and Malawi.
In his statement Minister Biti said the lower revenue base meant that a larger role of farmers and other stakeholders would be required.
While the minister said the country had adequate stocks of inputs for the coming season, farmers said they would not be able to acquire them without financial support.
Farmers are reportedly already preparing land in anticipation of the next farming season yet they are supposed to be tending winter crops.
Online Reporter