Understand contract first, farmers urged

Luthando Mapepa
THE District Administrator for Chipinge Mr Edgars Seenza has urged farmers especially small scale farmers to understand the terms and conditions of contracts before they agree contract farming with private partners.

The call was made while he addressed banana farmers at Chibuwe and Mutema Irrigation schemes recently.

Farmers in Chibuwe and Mutema had raised concerns that they have been impoverished by Matansuka-a private company they had entered into a five-year contract in banana farming because they were not realizing anything from the sale of their bananas.

They also highlighted that they had not been given copies of the contract which their representatives had signed on their behalf.

“Small scale farmers, especially banana farmers must understand the terms and conditions of the contracts they sign with private companies in order for them to achieve a win-win situation. Farmers should first read and understand the contracts because after being signed, a contract becomes binding.

“It was not fair for the company to take advantage of the poor people whose livelihoods depend on farming by deceiving them to enter into contracts which end up not benefiting them. We are urging the company to make available individual copies of the contract to every farmer. The contracts should also be written in vernacular language so that everyone will understand,’’ said Mr Seenza.

The banana company representatives said the fall in banana prices was beyond their control since it was being affected by the global market.

However, the DA asked why it was only the farmers who seem to be crying while the company had never raised a complain.

“This was a clear sign that the contract was not benefitting both parties,” added Seenza

Contacted for comment, an official from Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) who declined to be named emphasized that farmers needed to scrutinize a contract before appending their signatures.

He also encouraged farmers to form an association that will lobby for their rights in order for them to speak with one voice.

“We are urging private players to pay local farmers handsomely because the situation happening in banana farming is another form of oppression. The money being paid by banana marketing companies is peanuts,” he said.