Zim agric sector in need of funding

Senior Farming Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S agriculture sector, which is in dire need of funding due to the current economic meltdown, is set for transformation after the inking of comprehensive agro-specific deal in which Russia will supply a wide-range of machinery, equipment and fertlisers to support crop productivity.

Unpacking the agriculture deal that was among those that Government signed with old friend Russia, Agriculture Minister, Dr Joseph Made, said Russia would also develop irrigation and roll out a mechanisation programme that would increase crop productivity.

The package will include tillage, harvesting, planting, spraying, livestock, dairy, piggery, poultry machinery and equipment.

Russia’s gesture on fertiliser could not come at a better time as Government has been accused of exuding a lackadaisical attitude in dealing with the fertiliser sector, resulting in acute shortage of fertiliser, especially the top dressing type.

The little available on the market was being prized beyond the reach of most farmers. Government must deal with fertiliser companies in the same vein it dealt, three years ago, with local seed companies that are now up on a strong footing and producing beyond market demand.

The treasury has failed the agriculture sector by failing to capacitate the fertiliser industry as well as guaranteeing payment of fertiliser deliveries; developments blamed for the acute shortage of the critical top-dressing fertiliser throughout the country.

Dr Made said Harare would also serve as the hub of assembling of agriculture machinery and equipment from Russia in Southern Africa.

Dr Made also revealed that Russia, which is turning its back on Western countries that imposed sanctions against it, would provide a ready market for agriculture commodities.

Russia has also expressed a keen interest to purchase Zimbabwe agriculture commodities such as coffee, tea, tobacco, apples, sugar, beef and sorghum as well as some horticultural produce – the bulk of which are grown in Manicaland.

The Zimbabwe-Russia deals which will focus on the areas of agriculture, mining, infrastructure development and manufacturing will complement well the deals with China that are expected to result in an improvement in the country’s infrastructure, mainly in the energy, transport and communication sectors.

The Manica Post has it no good authority that an agriculture production, commodity and inputs supply is being considered by the two agriculture ministers of Russia and Zimbabwe.

This, the paper understands, will be considered during discussions with a technical mission from Russia that will be coming to Zimbabwe very soon.

“Russia will provide ready market for various produces the country can produce and offer ranging from coffee, horticulture, apples and beef. All commodities that we can put on the table, they will buy.

Russia has turned its attention to Zimbabwe, whose agriculture produce is not genetically modified.

“There is room for everyone, all the private players, all public players and the farmers.

“Most of the commodities required now are even produced mainly in provinces like Manicaland as well as others. Can you imagine what the Russian discussion means in terms of coffee and in terms of horticulture?

“Can you imagine that A2 farmers have been struggling, wanting machinery and equipment? We will have components of the machinery and equipment coming from Russia, coming from India that will also be very specific to A2 farmers that will include livestock? For Russia it is tobacco and sugar. Virtually all commodities we can put on the table for them,” said Dr Made.

“Russia would also use Zimbabwe as a hub in assembling agriculture machinery and equipment in Southern Africa. We have to build critical mass agriculture as Southern Africa as well as development of infrastructure that support agriculture.

“Russia is not just going to sell machinery and equipment in Zimbabwe, it will buy, they will buy all the commodities we can put on the table.

“So you can see what it means to us that we are bringing in tractors, a farmer is able to purchase the machinery and equipment, and use the proceeds from the commodities bought by Russia to pay for that machinery. We are not talking of the traditional equipment – tractors and irrigation equipment – we are talking of comprehensive equipment which enables us to produce every agricultural commodity.

What I mean is it includes dairy equipment, you know dairy farmers are struggling with old equipment and machinery for milking. We have new farmers who may what to venture into dairy farming where we do not have dairies that are established,” said Dr Made.