Zimbabweans: Farming runs in our blood
AUTHOR Walter Rodney, in what has been called a “classic study of the impact of European capitalism” on Africa, has an incredible way of describing the land which we now call Zimbabwe. Rodney notes the “striking achievements” registered by the 15th Century on the land between the rivers Zambezi and Limpopo, especially creating a productive base for its inhabitants.
He further states that before the destructive arrival of European colonialists, Zimbabwe was a zone of “mixed farming”, and because the area was tsetse free, cattle was very important.
According to Rodney, irrigation and terracing had, by this century, reached considerable proportions despite the absence of dams or aqueducts as compared to ancient Rome or Asia.
Agricultural production was supported by “countless streams” which were diverted and “made to flow around hills, in a manner that indicated an awareness of the scientific principles governing the motion of water”.
He adds: “In effect, the people of Zimbabwe had produced ‘hydrologists’ through their understanding of material environment.”
This beautiful narrative of the Zimbabwean agro-economy expresses the “natural” phenomenon that guides Zimbabwean farmers to produce beyond expectations.
Despite the disturbances brought on by colonialists, who grabbed the best land to produce for their metropolitan capitals in the West, Zimbabweans continued tilling on sub-standard soils for the strategic grain reserves.
Zimbabweans have gone further to defy odds and produce even in difficult times, especially when adverse weather conditions hit the country.
The drought periods of 1982, 1992 and of late during the 2015/2016 agricultural seasons, are some of the incidents that have seen Zimbabwean farmers emerge stronger in the face of adversity.
On the background of such a strong comeback by the Zimbabwean farmers after the latter drought period, the prospect of food sustenance and abundance has been enhanced.
Government obviously understands the power and resolve that runs in the farmers’ DNA that it has crafted policies that enhances agricultural productivity.
In Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s words, we have the “land and resources”, especially after the successful land reform and Command Agriculture programmes. What is needed then? The farmers have to come to the party and start working as hard as our renowned ancestors, as noted by Rodney, were famous for.
Zimbabweans, as shown, are genetically made for agricultural production and the best that we should look forward to is to ensure that status is maintained.
We have already proven that with the necessary support and guidance Zimbabwean farmers have the ability to boost the agricultural sector.
What next after a successful 2016/2017 agricultural season?
Government has raised half a billion US dollars for the next agricultural season in the form of an extended Command Agriculture programme supported by the Presidential Input Support Scheme.
Cotton farmers are also expected to get $60 million for the forthcoming season while contractors would also be available for yet another possible successful farming programme.
Farmers, especially the largest group made up of communal, A1 and old resettlement areas, have in various forums indicated the need for capacity building.
We expect inputs distribution to be more timeous this season and that should put paid to issues associated with late delivery of inputs.
It is in this vein that we expect Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to go on to the farms to technically equip the farmers with new and advanced agricultural techniques.
Historically, the Agriculture Technical and Extension Services was a critical Government arm in a farming economy where maize production went beyond the staple diet but a source of stability.
Farmers can attest that they have been given a raw deal by the extension officers that are in the communities.
We really cannot take away the good work that is coming from some areas because not all apples can be bad.
Besides the irrigation development that has been advocated, serious investment in enhancing the technical skills, not only of the farmers, but the people charged with advising the farmers with their activities, is critical.
Zimbabwe cannot continue relying on inept officers sitting on knowledge that is obsolete because of the dynamism that has become evident in this era.
Droughts, diseases and pests are some of the challenges threatening today’s farmers and there is need for knowledgeable extension officers to assist them deal with these incidents.
There is serious need to train our extension officers in new technologies that ensure enhanced agricultural production.
It’s commendable that many tertiary institutions across Zimbabwe now offer courses that both farmers and extension officers can take advantage of to increase productivity.
Production should also cut across the whole spectrum because as we work on increasing output on the land, our livestock production levels should also complement the work in the fields.
Just as Rodney noted when he looked at Zimbabwe and agricultural productivity, we have greatness that comes right from our DNA and ancestry, so there is no way we can slide back to the days of food shortages.
Every Zimbabwean should be seized by one thing, and that is, making sure that he has that piece of land to grow something, whether they are vegetables, fruits, maize, tobacco and other crop varieties.
The previous season, though successful, should have taught our farmers a number of lessons and we hope to build on these for more success.
Let’s get rid of the teething problems and produce so that we retain our position as the breadbasket of Southern Africa and prove to the doubting Thomases that getting that title was no fluke.
In fact, who has the right to claim that we lost that title when people never died of hunger despite the challenges we have faced?
Yes, Zimbabweans, we are farmers and we can never starve!
History and literature both have enough evidence to prove that we are indeed producers of repute.