Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
FARMERS have called for an urgent review of producer prices to reflect rising production costs, warning that fixed prices amid escalating fuel, energy and fertiliser costs are undermining the viability of agriculture.
Zimbabwe Farmers’ union (ZFU) president Dr Jameson Jawi made the call yesterday while officially opening the 86th ZFU Congress in Gweru, where farmers, agricultural inputs suppliers, seed houses and Government officials are meeting to discuss strategies for building a resilient agricultural sector.
The three-day congress is being held under the theme “Harnessing Innovation for Resilience”, against the backdrop of forecasts of an El Niño-induced drought during the 2026-27 agricultural season.
Dr Jawi said the mismatch between producer prices and rising production costs was placing farmers under increasing pressure, with mechanisation and irrigation remaining beyond the reach of many producers.
“We raised concerns in an opinion article earlier this year about the mismatch between fixed producer prices and rising fuel and fertiliser costs, which burden our members,” he said.
“Mechanisation and irrigation, essential for a resilient farming system, are unaffordable for most producers. Producer prices haven’t kept up.”
He said the challenges had been compounded by international developments, including the conflict in the Middle East, which had pushed up business costs.
Dr Jawi said diesel prices had risen by more than a third, while energy costs and global fertiliser prices remained volatile.
The concerns come as the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) predicts a strong likelihood of an El Niño-induced drought in the coming agricultural season, characterised by delayed rains, dry spells and below-normal rainfall.
Dr Jawi said farmers were also grappling with market uncertainties, with last season’s liberalised grain marketing system resulting in poor aggregation mechanisms for smallholder farmers and uncertainty over prices.
He said tobacco growers had similarly endured depressed prices, which affected the viability of the crop.
Despite the challenges, Dr Jawi said farmers remained committed to producing food and contributing to national food and nutrition security.
He said farmers were increasingly turning to conservation agriculture, small grains and livestock production as part of efforts to build resilience against climate shocks.
“Despite challenges, farmers have remained committed to ensuring their households’ well-being and contributing to national food and nutrition security,” he said.
Dr Jawi said innovation was central to developing a resilient and commercially viable agricultural sector, urging farmers to adopt climate-smart farming practices, digital climate information tools and drought-tolerant seed varieties.
He said such innovations could help farmers manage weather-related risks and reduce the likelihood of total crop failure.
“We urge you farmers to embrace innovations in both production and marketing, while calling on Government and other value-chain players to support their efforts,” said Dr Jawi.
He also called for the early distribution of inputs under the Presidential Input Programme (PIP), saying timely access to support would be critical ahead of the coming farming season.
Dr Jawi further urged the Government to accelerate the rollout of title deeds, saying secure land tenure would give farmers the confidence to invest in new technologies and improve productivity.
“We request a review of producer pricing to reflect true production costs, early distribution of input support under the Presidential Input Programme and accelerated title deeds rollout to enable farmers to invest in technological innovations with confidence,” he said.
He urged policymakers to continue consulting farmers when formulating and implementing agricultural policies, saying the ZFU was ready to work with the Government and other stakeholders to build a more resilient and equitable food system.
“Resolutions and position statements emerging from the congress would be shared with Government for consideration and action,” he said.
The congress is also providing farmers with an opportunity to exchange ideas, showcase innovations and improve access to agricultural support services.
Dr Jawi urged delegates to use the gathering to network and share innovations being implemented in different parts of the country.
He reaffirmed the ZFU’s role as the representative body for farmers across Zimbabwe.
“ZFU is prepared to collaborate, innovate and lead the charge towards a more resilient and equitable food system,” said Dr Jawi.
