adminLuthando Mapepa
MORE than 1 000 farmers in two of the biggest irrigation schemes in Chipinge – Chibuwe and Musikavanhu – are crying foul after being switched off by ZESA over a $66 000 debt.
The move came at a time when many farmers had entered into an agreement with Cairns Foods for contract beans and wheat farming.
The affected blocks are Chibuwe Block A, Musikavanhu Blocks A1, A2, A3 and A4.
Ward 20 Councillor, Councillor Charles Mugidho confirmed the development which has left many small-holder farmers in a Catch 22 situation as the winter season is upon them.
Cllr Mugidho accused Zesa of ripping off the resource-poor farmers through exorbitant billing, which in the end makes irrigation farming unviable as farmers struggle to offset electricity bills.
“It is true that farmers at Musikavanhu Irrigation Scheme were forced to stop operations after ZESA switched off power because of the $66 395 debt.
The situation has been compounded by the fact that the power utility is demanding full payment before switching them on. Farmers are complaining that ZESA is overcharging them and cannot pay at once given the little returns they get after harvesting,” he said.
Cllr Mugidho said the switching off was threatening viability of the contract farming agreement between the farmers and Cairns Foods.
“Our fear is that if no urgent intervention is made before the planting days, Cairns Foods may withdraw the offer and scout for other schemes because time is moving. This is happening at time Cairns has disbursed sugar beans seeds to thousands of farmers and was about to assist the farmers with fertiliser and other inputs this winter,” said Cllr Mugidho.
A four-acre plot-holder, Mr Edwin Mapungwana, said ZESA was being insensitive to their plight.
“ZESA should appreciate our situation this season and accept a payment plan. This is the season we grow cash crops such as beans, wheat and market gardening which can boost our revenue base. This last season was dry and farmers only grew maize for food security reasons. Zesa should accept what we can afford to pay now and allow us to clear the balance through a payment plan to allow us to move forward,” said Mr Mapungwana. Another farmer, Mr Singizi Sithole, said the move by ZESA would worsen the food crisis in the community.
“Yes, we know that ZESA need their money, but they should create an environment that can also make the irrigation functional.”
Online Reporter