admineconomy annually, with agriculture remaining the mainstay for a long time.
However, mining is fast overtaking agriculture as the central nervous system, but for now we shall not trivialise the importance of the latter in this country.
The rains have been falling since the beginning of October signifying the commencement of the summer cropping season, although the Meteorological Services Department has said we should not take notice of them.
Interestingly many have decided not to take heed of what the Met guys have said, but have gone ahead to prepare land and begin their planting schedules. This is commendable.
The rains are a blessing from God and we should make the most of them. I am no agriculture expert, but I can tell you that early preparation usually works out in favour of the farmer. Traditionally, the summer season commences around October 15, so the farmer needs to get going.
This season we cannot afford to give the same old story of late preparations, inadequate inputs availability, lack of financial resources and other constraints that have led to poor harvests.
Things have to be different this time around. The blame-shifting tendency that has already begun will not help the situation. What is required is adequate preparations in terms of all the things that the farmer needs, be they communal or commercial, to achieve the potential in agriculture that has remained dormant for more than a decade now.
That Zimbabwe can regain its breadbasket status is not something that should remain on the wish-list. This now needs to manifest. Importing maize from Malawi or Zambia was almost regarded as taboo when
Zimbabwe was at its peak, so we should not be comfortable with that scenario. This country should aim to achieve the best that it can, not necessarily in the future but now.
This will happen if we desist from behaving each year as if the summer season always takes us by surprise such that we start running around when its too late.
The current cash crunch has remained a bottleneck in the economy and the situation is reflected in agriculture.
Farmers are hard-pressed in terms of capital to fund their activities. Some are having to sell stuff that they have, while others are still trying to sweet-talk their bankers to see if something will be extended to them.
The major constraint here being poor repayment and stringent lending conditions that may not be friendly to the farmer who has to wait for months before he starts harvesting.
Banks are also still trying to access more external lines of credit so they can on-lend to farmers and the rest of the economy.
We have not yet seen them come out to announce specific packages for farmers for this summer, but we would want to believe that something is already in the cooking pot.
The appetite for funding in the sector is very high and financial institutions should be equal to the task. Specific packages should be announced soon to give impetus to the farmer.
Many of the farmers are still to recover from depressed market prices that saw them make losses early this year, particularly due to dumping of such products as tomatoes, potatoes, poultry. For instance tomatoes were selling for R5 for two 15kg boxes in February as opposed to the normal price of between $5 and $12 per box.
Too much availability of imported chicken at that point had a telling effect on prices of other meats such as pork.
However, the situation has been corrected and farmers, those who have produce to sell presently, are smiling.
In terms of funding, Government is said to have finally released the US$45 million for inputs and outstanding payment to the Grain Marketing Board.
Of course we appreciate that due to challenges in the economy and poor seasons previously, some farmers still need their hand held but we would want them to desist from being spoon-fed.
Farming is a business where the issue of profits and investment need to come into play. Farmers cannot expect to receive free inputs all their life, but at some point we expect them to stand on their own two feet and demonstrate their capability to run their enterprises profitably.
The free inputs are also often abused, thereby compromising overall output come harvest time.
However, in this instance, the availability of cheaper inputs to communal, small-scale and A2 farmers should help the farmer maximise on the much expected normal rainfall season.
What is of essence is to ensure that these inputs are made available on time. Its no use giving the farmer the tools of the trade half-way through the season. Minister Biti has been accused of being reluctant to release funding, but we sincerely hope that all is in place now.
He has said his coffers are empty, but we hope as the Minister responsible for Government’s purse, he has managed to balance the equation to ensure that farming, the goose that lays the egg, is not deprived of resources where possible.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Minister Dr Joseph Made recently said an additional US$35 million should be released soon for inputs. This is great news.
However, access to the facility should be done in as transparent a manner as possible to ensure that the intended beneficiaries are not left stranded.
Previously such facilities have been riddled with corruption and greediness that have seen only a few benefiting from a programme meant for the majority.
We expect farmer organisations such as the Commercial Farmers Union, the Zimbabwe Farmers Union and the Zimbabwe Commercial farmers Union to lead their respective constituencies in ensuring that this season turns out to be a successful one. Issues such as funding, availability of chemicals and other inputs can sometimes be best handled at such levels while farmer concerns can be handled effectively via the said bodies.
They have a more intimate relationship with their members and are obviously up to speed with their needs and concerns.
Furthermore, agricultural extension officers should also play their part in advising farmers on the intricate aspects of farming where their expertise will be summoned.
This other day we saw Minister Made smiling as he received motor cycles that were donated by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. These should certainly come in handy as the mudhumenis (arex officers) move about farmlands.
The result of their efforts will be evident come harvest time. Many farmers have recorded poor yields for one reason or the other, so such expertise will be handy.
Members of Parliament and other national, provincial and district leaders should also do their bit in giving hands-on support to farmers.
Those that are underutilising land allocated to them remain a sore point in the sector. Every centimetre of arable land should be maximised upon and it would not be a futile exercise if Government embarks on a literal door-to-door check on the farms to ascertain land use and act on the issue immediately.
Of course land audits have been done, but we now want to see a situation where strategies are employed to ensure that those with land make maximum use of it. There are many serious farmers out there in search of land and these could certainly benefit from those that seem to have space which they do not know what to with.
Zimbabwe has the capability to double or treble production in this current season as long as effective strategies are put in place.
Farming is a very lucrative business which can easily turn nasty if not adequately attended to. Many farmers I have interacted with lately have expressed their desire to do their best this season and contribute to the overall basket.
“In my case I have about 250 hectares of arable land and I wish I could get more to expand my activities. Zimbabwe is my home and it is my responsibility to ensure that the country becomes successful in agriculture and other sectors of the economy,” remarked one.
Agriculture is expected to grow by 19 percent this year, a figure easily achievable if we all put our heads together.
In God I Trust!
Online Reporter