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Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
SUGAR bean farmers in Middle Sabi and Musikavanhu in Chipinge are fretting over low prices being offered by buyers of the legume. A kilogramme of the crop is fetching between US0,80 cents and $1, which is relatively lower than expected prices of between $1,40 and $1,50 per kg. The marketing season started in June and is expected to end early October.
Chipinge Agritex officials say farmers need to earn $1 800 per hectare to break even. Worryingly, most farmers have been able to produce between half a tonne to one tonne per hectare.
The two irrigation schemes are considered to be the leading sugar bean producers in the country, with a potential of producing over two million tonnes per season.
Farmers, the majority of whom are withholding their product, told The Herald Eastern Edition that farmers were not comfortable with the current pricing regime.
“It is better to keep the beans. We cannot just rush to sell when prices are so low that we cannot break even to fund another crop and remain with a profit,” said an irate farmer who requested anonymity.
The situation has been worsened by the fact that it has become a buyers’ market, with fewer buyers competing for the crop.
Traditional buyers such as GMB, Profeeds and National Foods also did not buy the legume this year citing cash shortages.
Mr Morris Masungise, a farmer who had two hectares of the crop, said he felt short-changed, as prices had fallen drastically.
“We produce sugar beans with the hope of improving our lives, but we have nothing to show for it. We are registering losses because buyers are offering low prices. We invest heavily on these farms and we produce high quality beans, but someone just comes with their preferred prices,” he said.
Another farmer, Mr Hlekani Mtetwa, said farmers were being left poorer as buyers were conniving to offer low prices.
“These unscrupulous buyers are ripping off farmers as they are making huge profits. Farmers are left with nothing, as they deduct some money towards atoning for high moisture content and quality. This is affecting smallholder farmers. We have invested heavily in the crop, but no profits are coming,” he added.
Chipinge Agritex officer, Mr Tapiwa Chagwesha, said farmers should organise themselves and create marketing associations to represent them.
Online Reporter