All systems go for agric marketing season

HARARE - Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have expressed preparedness for this coming marketing season with all modalities almost in place.

In a virtual meeting on preparedness for the 2020/21 agricultural marketing season with Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, water and Rural Resettlement Permanent Secretary Dr

John Basera, stakeholders from across the value chain provided reports that showed readiness for the season while others expressed their expectations.

From the Grain

Marketing Board to farmers representatives, Agricultural Marketing Authority, millers, Agritex, Department of Mechanisation as well as the soon to come commodities exchange - all indicated readiness for the marketing season in which Zimbabwe and the rest of the region expect increased production on the back of good rains received.

Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union executive director, Paul Zakariya, noted that as the country prepared for the marketing season, farmers were pleased with efforts made towards ensuring improved production such as the timely distribution of inputs, which he said was a first in many years.

He, however, highlighted farmers’ concerns which he said needed to be addressed, such as efficient settlement of payments as well as fair pricing of agriculture commodities.

He called on the government to step in and protect the interests of farmers from exploitative tendencies by buyers.

“Farmers were encouraged and they produced. They must also reap good results from their hard work so that they will do more in the next seasons. “Last year cotton farmers were not happy with the payment system.

The government should step in and ban the use of groceries as payment like what happened last year with cotton farmers.

“They should be paid in cash so that they buy what they want,” he said. – THE HERALD, Zimbabwe.