Farmers call for depots at ward level

The farmers said going to other provinces and cities to access inputs and other services was costly especially for small-scale growers.
The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union regional chairperson Mrs Irene Maphenduka said there were about three maize depots located in Nkayi, Nyamandlovu and Tsholotsho (excluding Grain Marketing Board in Binga) with none selling cotton.

“That is not enough as there is need for depots at ward level so as to cut costs incurred by farmers as they move to points of sale.
“There is need for collection points at district and ward level for farmers to realise profits at the end of the day,” she said.
Mrs Maphenduka said there were no cotton depots at all in Matabeleland resulting in few cotton growers over the years.

“Most depots are in towns and farmers struggle to access them,” she said.
However, the president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union Mr Donald Khumalo said increased production would justify setting up of depots.

“Before we even look at the placing of depots there is need to consider if the production levels justify that because farmers can be emotional without looking                at other aspects to be considered,” he               said.

“I am not against putting up of depots           but we need to look at the situation on the ground and try and deal with things accordingly.”

Mr Ishmael Mpofu, a farmer in Tsholotsho, said they were forced to travel long distances to sell their cotton.
“We want our own agricultural depots for we are tired of going to other provinces,” he said.