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Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) has urged farmers to plant short season varieties to boost food security.
ZCFU president Wonder Chabikwa said planting short season varieties would cover up for the season that started late.“Farmers should plant short season varieties in order to harvest early. This year’s planting season started a bit late due to low rainfall and the sudden increase in maize seed prices.
“If farmers use the short season varieties they will cover up the gap and harvest earlier. As farmers we want to meet our obligation of ensuring food security in the country,” he said.
Chabikwa also urged farmers to grow small grains.
“In order to achieve our goal of food security I’d like to urge farmers to also grow small grains. Small grains such as rapoko and sorghum are drought resistant,” he said.
Meanwhile, farmers have urged the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to speed up the process of paying them for deliveries made during the previous marketing seasons.
Failure to pay the farmers on time by GMB has led to the sprouting of dubious maize buyers.
For example, in Matabeleland North, some unscrupulous buyers are shortchanging desperate farmers by buying maize at unreasonably low prices.
Online Reporter