adminTina Musonza
GOVERNMENT has urged wheat and barley farmers to report to the police any unscrupulous elements who illegally charge them for quelea control chemicals deliveries.
Of late, cases of corrupt agriculture extension officers who demand transport fees from farmers to deliver chemicals used to control quelea birds have been on the rise.
And last week, chief director Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services Professor Obert Jiri confirmed receiving reports in which farmers are charged fuel to carry quelea control chemicals to their farms in Mashonaland Central.
Professor Jiri explained that the Government is providing the chemicals free of charge.
“We received reports from Mashonaland Central farmers that they are being asked to pay for quelea control services and we are against that,” said Prof Jiri.
“Quelea control service is provided for free by the Government to protect wheat across the country, no one is supposed to pay for it or pay anyone for mobilising fuel, chemicals or anything to do with quelea control. Government does not ask for individual contributions.
“All farmers and stakeholders should alert National Parks, Agritex, the Government or nearest police station if you see any of these birds close to wheat fields.
“Any charges related to quelea birds are considered illegal and regarded as unscrupulous acts. Anyone held accountable for charging farmers will be arrested,” he added
Farmers have been calling upon the authorities to increase awareness on the control of the menacing birds to increase the production of wheat and barley with the Government coming on board to address the issue.
A Goromonzi farmer, Mr Tawanda Garwe welcomed the move.
“Quelea birds remain a pressing issue in the wheat and barley production especially when wheat is at grain stage. We are happy that the Government keeps pulling together wheat production by providing us with chemicals to control quelea birds and ensuring highest national average wheat yields.
While quelea birds continue to be a problem especially in Mashonaland Central, other areas including Marondera are expected to produce a bumper harvest this year given they have not been affected much. Mrs Ruramiso Mashumba, a farmer in Marondera said she is expecting some good yields.
“We have not been affected this side and we expect good yields as usual but we urge fellow farmers with wheat affected to keep controlling the pests to maintain high yield,” she said.
Online Reporter