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Senior Reporter
FARMERS’ union leaders are divided over the proposal by the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), a whites only organisation, to form a federation of all farmers’ unions.CFU, which collapsed following the land reform programme, is spearheading the federation of all farmers’ unions as it seeks to become relevant on the farming landscape.
The union had reported that it had already approached the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) with the proposal, which the latter dismissed.
Since the announcement of the development farmers’ union leaders have expressed mixed reactions over the issue. ZFU first vice president Mr Abdul Nyathi said the proposal was counterproductive.
“We are not interested in their proposal and we do not want them to lead us in ideas and decision making as indigenous farmers,” said Mr Nyathi in an interview in Bulawayo last week.
“If there was merit in what they are saying they should have brought it to the union’s presidency council. They did not do that and we are not part of their initiative.
“I think they have a hidden agenda which is why they are announcing their proposal outside the proper channels to hoodwink us.”
Mr Nyathi, a former freedom fighter, queried the timing of the proposal and said the move was a polite way of accepting the irreversibility of the land reform programme.
“Their union has no following and they are accepting that they were defeated and are non-existent. They are irrelevant and have no agenda,” he said.
ZFU second vice-president Mr Berean Mukwende is on record saying his organisation was prepared to form the federation saying the move was going to ensure that farmers speak with one voice on issues that affect them.
On the other hand the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) has celebrated the idea of a federation saying the move was long overdue.
Commenting on the issue ZCFU vice president in charge of commodities Mr Earnest Ndlovu said the proposal must be accepted with both hands.
“It is very difficult to make assumptions about human beings and we cannot measure their genuineness. They are Zimbabwean farmers who want to produce for Zimbabwe. If they want to join hands with indigenous farmers then what is wrong with that?” said Mr Ndlovu.
“We should open our hands and say brothers come let us work together. We are not saying they are better than us but we are pursuing production issues here.
“However, CFU members must not forget the fight is not over and that we were fighting the system and not individuals. They should know that we are fighting an economic war.”
Mr Ndlovu said Zimbabweans should come to a point where they learn to accept each other and work together regardless of differences in race, colour or ethnicity.
He said those who have knowledge and resources should be allowed to partner with anyone as long as that partnership would result in improved farm production for the benefit of the country.
CFU vice-president Mr Peter Steyl has said his organisation would hold its annual congress soon where members would be consulted on the move to form the federation, whose proposed name would be the Federation of Agricultural Unions.
He said most of the CFU members had realised that the land reform was irreversible and had accepted their fate adding that farmers should not be viewed as blacks or whites.
Mr Steyl said when the land reform was carried out, most of them were in the mid 50s and now have grown old and could not go back to farm.
He said white farmers were willing to help and become part of the system by offering their participation for the betterment of the country and generations to come.
ZCFU president Mr Wonder Chabikwa has ruled out room for manipulation in the proposal and said it would work for the good of the agriculture sector.
Online Reporter