admin
Elita Chikwati Senior Agriculture Reporter
Farmers have started preparations for the 2019-2020 summer cropping season, with many voicing concern over relentless increases in prices of inputs, which they fear if not addressed on time, may affect production.
Inputs suppliers have distributed seed, fertilisers and chemicals to retailers near to farming areas for easy access by farmers.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) director Mr Paul Zakariya said preparations for the summer cropping season were underway and most farmers were contemplating shifting to cash crops.
He urged farmers not to be discouraged by the rainfall forecast as it was a bit better than last year.
“Farmers are worried by the prices of inputs. They are no longer making sense. Producer prices have not been adjusted and this will affect production. There are indications that farmers are shifting to high value horticultural crops instead of grains.
“Inputs are readily available in retail outlets, but it the high costs that is affecting farmers. ZFU has engaged input suppliers to see how we can come up with a solution to the challenge of high prices, but they are also complaining of electricity and say they now rely more on generators which is costly.
“Farmers who benefit from Government inputs schemes are likely to grow maize while those who are self-financed farmers are looking at cash crops and export crops,” he said.
Mr Zakariya also expressed concern over poor availability of fuel and said farmers were spending time queuing for the diesel for land preparations.
Zimbabwe Seed Traders Association president, Mr Amon Mwashaireni said seed uptake was still low and they expected sales to pick early October.
“Inputs costs are going up weekly and its not going to be easy for farmers this year. Government programmes — Command Agriculture and Presidential Inputs Scheme — will save the situation. We encourage farmers to grow small grains,” he said.
Fertiliser industry spokesman Mr Tapiwa Mashingaidze said fertiliser was available in retail outlets although sales were still suppressed.
“Sales are still low because of the high prices. We are trying to see what we can do to help farmers,” he said.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement meets regularly with all players in the agricultural sector as well as captains of industry to see how they make farming activities remain feasible and profitable for farmers.
After assessing the costs associated with farming of various grains, the Ministry recently proposed new producer prices for grains.
President Mnangagwa recently said Government will continue to revise agricultural producer prices to ensure maximum benefits to farmers and viability of the industry.
Online Reporter