adminA survey by Business Chronicle showed that customers were flocking to buy the imported product as it was cheaper.
In an interview ZCFU president Mr Donald Khumalo said they were concerned about the situation as it was almost getting out of hand.
“The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development are the main culprits as they are the ones who issued licences for the importation of the crop.
“This is an indirect way of destroying the local farming industry as it is difficult for local farmers to compete with the cheap products from the neighbouring countries,” he said.
He said due to this challenge many farmers have shunned potato growing as it was no longer profitable as it used to be.
“Inputs and labour are very expensive for local farmers hence selling their products at lower prices as that of imports mean the farmers cannot reach a break-even point.
“Our farmers have no access to international markets while locally they are losing the market as a result of foreign products.”
He said Government should allow the production of Genetically Modified food (GMOs) since they were being imported for local consumption.
“There is no point in doing away with the production of GMOs when we are importing them.
“The Government must support local production so that we boost the local economy and this only happens if the agricultural sector is fully supported. We really feel the Government is letting us down,” Mr Khumalo said.
He said the Government should adopt policies that are favourable to local farmers for them to fully produce for the country.
Online Reporter