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Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
FARMERS from Matabeleland region have urged the Government to allocate more funding to the livestock sector in the budget and put mechanisms for equitable distribution of inputs to ensure all farmers benefit. Speaking during a well attended consultative meeting with the Deputy Ministers of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds on Tuesday, farmers said lack of financial support and inadequate inputs distribution was crippling Government efforts in improving food production.
The Deputy Ministers, Cdes Paddy Zhanda (livestock) and Davies Marapira (cropping) and their delegation had the opportunity to exchange views with farmers who were drawn from beef, dairy, horticulture, piggery and small stock sectors.
“How can we become successful farmers without funding? White farmers succeeded because they were allowed to borrow,” said Cde Monica Sikhosana, a farmer from Umguza.
“The conditions for giving loans in our banks are terrible and we are not happy with delays in approving project proposals from farmers.”
The farmers said the Government should urgently avail farm implements such as tractors to ensure the beneficiaries of the land reform programme made maximum use of the land.
“Ministers have come here and gone and made visits that have not changed anything. What are you guys bringing now? A lot of farmers in this region need implements and did not benefit from the previous scheme. We want action now,” said Mrs Sizi Madonko from West Nicholson in Gwanda.
The farmers demanded speedy completion of the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project to promote irrigation farming along the greenbelt on areas with less rainfall.
Shangani farmer Cde Jabulani Phetshu Sibanda said the Government should decentralise the distribution of inputs to ward level and assist farmers in drought stricken areas with stock feed to preserve the national head.
He said the money allocated through the budget from the ministry should be distributed equally with each district being given a specific portion.
Livestock farmers called for the revival of the Cold Storage Company (CSC), which they said was strategic in developing livestock.
One of the female participants left the large gathering in stitches when she demanded that the new ministers deliver meaningful development in Matabeleland and threatened to assault them if they failed.
Resettled farmers expressed concern over lack of development in their areas and urged the Government to construct schools, clinics and roads. They also said they wanted to be assisted with capacity building training workshops on how to improve their operations.
In their response the Deputy Ministers said the Government was aware of the challenges facing farmers and was committed to working with them to improve food production.
However, Cde Zhanda challenged farmers to develop a responsible attitude to work hard for their survival than continually looking to Government for support.
He said the Government would monitor the revival of CSC to ensure that livestock farmers benefit from its strategic existence.
Cde Zhanda said in the long run Government would stop giving farmers inputs for free as it was not sustainable and urged farmers to thrive to achieve self sufficiency.
He said discussions were underway to source implements from Brazil and China to assist farmers on favourable purchase terms.
Also in attendance was Bubi MP Cde Clifford Sibanda, Mrs Khonzani Ncube who was standing in for the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo and representatives of farmers unions.
Earlier in the morning the Deputy Ministers and their delegation visited Matopos Research Centre where they held a lengthy discussion on how the institution could assist farmers in coming up with modern approaches of improving farm production.
Online Reporter