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Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
FORTY hectares of barley worth about US$160 000 were on Sunday reduced to ashes after a vicious veld fire swept across Tara Farm in Headlands.
The fire is believed to have started at a settlement that shares a boundary with the farm.
Mr Richard Tabor was left counting his losses after the raging inferno destroyed his wheat which was almost ready for harvesting.
The farmer was contracted by Delta Beverages to grow 235 hectares of barley wheat which is a key ingredient in the production of beer, and is a highly rewarding cash crop.
In an interview with Post Business, Mr Tabor said his crop was covered by an insurance policy, adding that the insurers would assess the extent of the damage.
A police report was made.
“Some villagers started the fire in their fields on Sunday afternoon and left it unattended. They let the fire rage on. It was windy on that day and the fire jumped a 13-metre wide fireguard and burnt our crop.
“Boundaries are clearly demarcated, but some villagers allow their cattle to stray into our fields and destroy our crops.
“There is tension between commercial and small-scale farmers over these issues,” he said.
He added: “I am expecting eight tonnes per hectare from the remaining crop.
“I am contracted by Delta Beverages to grow 235 hectares of barley. The company is yet to announce the buying price for this year, but last year it was US$400 per tonne.
“This is an immense loss to us.
“If we are not adequately compensated for the loss, we might end up selling some of our equipment to cover our debts,” said Mr Tabor. Environment Management Agency (EMA) Makoni District environmental officer, Mrs Praisemore Mapfumo said they were not notified of the incident.
She said investigations are in progress to establish what really transpired.
Mrs Mapfumo said those found on the wrong side of the law will be brought to book. She added that they are also conducting fire management awareness meetings with the communities.
“The issue of veld fires is a major concern and discourage people from starting fires. We are issuing fire orders for farmers to put in place veld fire pre-suppression measures in place. Offenders are also being prosecuted in the courts.
“We raise environmental awareness on fire management before, during and after the fire season.
“EMA is also capacitating communities in veld fire management through projects such as hay bailing, grass combing and beekeeping,” she said.
According to EMA, the fire season starts from July to October and fires are prevalent during this time because of the dry weather conditions.
During this period, no one is allowed to start fires outside their houses.
Each year, Zimbabwe loses approximately a million hectares of forest and grassland to veld fires, with farmers suffering most of the losses due to the infernos.
This is one of the reasons behind agricultural experts’ calls for farmers to ensure that their crops are covered by insurance.
Online Reporter