ZFU engages private sector

expected to cover 35 000 hectares countrywide.
In an interview on Monday, ZCFU president Mr Donald Khumalo, said his organisation would with the assistance of the private sector provide inputs and link farmers with markets.
“We will provide farmers with inputs such as seed, fertilisers and herbicides to enable them to produce competitively.
“At the moment we are negotiating with some financial institutions for the funding of the project. We will disclose their identities later,” he said.
Farmers involved in the project that will be evenly distributed throughout the country will also be assisted in acquiring farm implements.
The project, said Mr Khumalo, would also help resuscitate the livestock sector, as feeds would be locally available and therefore cheaper.
Most of the soyabeans currently being used in the manufacture of livestock feeds is being imported from neighbouring countries.
Besides supplying raw materials for livestock feeds, soyabeans should also provide most of the cooking oil the country requires, as over reliance on imported cooking oil is killing both local farmers and the manufacturing industry, added Mr Khumalo.
Meanwhile, ZCFU acting director, Mr Peter Gambara, also added that farmers eligible for the project should be able to commit a minimum of 10 hectares to soya, have between one and two and half hectares under irrigation and possess spraying and tillage equipment.
“Farmers with a history of growing the crop and with adequate labour can easily qualify for the project. At the moment the only limiting factor is the shortage of soya seed. There is only enough seed for 65 000 hectares.
“Our intention in the long run is to expand the soya bean hectarage under the programme to 400 000 hactares,” said Mr Gambara.
Last season only 83 000 tonnes of the crop were produced, leaving the country with a deficit of 317 000 tonnes.
Zimbabwe needs a total of 400 000 tonnes of soyabeans every year.
The bulk of the crop is needed for the processing of livestock feeds, while the remaining quantities are used in the making of cooking oil and other purposes.