Govt gets tough on defaulting farmers
GOVERNMENT has warned farmers who benefited from the Command Agriculture programme, but have not paid their dues, that they will not benefit in the following allocations.
Acting director in the office of the Mashonaland West Provincial Minister Mr Douglas Chiwiro said Government was working with Agritex officers in compiling the list of all defaulting farmers.
He was addressing farmers attending a cotton field day in Sanyati recently, saying all defaulting farmers would not benefit from the programme in the future.
Mr Chiwiro said Command Agriculture was a loan facility and farmers were expected to pay back.
He urged tobacco farmers to also join the scheme.
“Vice President General Constatino Chiwenga (Retired) last week said Government had roped in tobacco under Command Agriculture.
“We urge all tobacco farmers to register so as to benefit from the programme.
“Government is, however, working closely with extension officers to ensure that farmers who failed to repay their loans under Command Agriculture will not access inputs.”
He said Government had promulgated a law to deal with defaulters.
“Command Agriculture is a loan and it must be repaid so that next time you benefit again.
“Paying back will also enable even new beneficiaries to have access to Government’s programmes.
“There are new programmes being offered by Government to enable farmers to access loans, but make sure you repay,” he said.
Mr Chiwiro said Government was also deeply worried about culprits who were selling Government inputs, especially from the Presidential Input Support Scheme and Command Agriculture programme.
“We are deeply worried with people selling those inputs. It is a serious offence and some are already in jail over the matter. Let us desist from that bad culture of sabotaging our Government, which is striving by all means to support us as farmers,” he said.
Mr Chiwiro said farmers could also access other programmes like the Command Fisheries.
“I know in Sanyati some may say there are few dams here, but we will liaise with the responsible authorities to resolve the issue,” he said.
“There is also Command Livestock programme were extension officers would be of much assistance to the farmers in explaining the programme.”
“Our rainfall patterns are now unpredictable and are changing almost every season.
“Its high time farmers plant a variety of crops including drought resistant ones in case of disasters,” he said.