Wheat farmers call for power subsidies
WHEAT farmers have urged Government to subsidise electricity for wheat farmers to ensure that they remain viable and competitive against regional and international producers of the cereal.
In an interview on Monday, Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) vice president Mr Berean Mukwende said electricity was a key input in wheat production.
He said Zimbabwe’s electricity tariffs are high compared to other countries in the Sadc region, especially Zambia and South Africa.
“This makes it very difficult for wheat farmers to break even. In these countries, they are paying five cents per kilowatt; whereas in Zimbabwe, we are paying almost double the price.’’
Government, he said, should therefore support wheat farmers by subsidising electricity.
“The exorbitant cost of energy is making it difficult for farmers to remain viable when they have to sell their produce at prices determined by the international market,” he said.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) spokesperson Mr Garikai Chaunza also called on authorities to be sensitive to prices, rates and tariffs incurred by winter wheat farmers.
He said apart from deterring farmers from venturing into wheat production, the high electricity charges also affected prices of wheat products.
“High Zesa tariffs on winter wheat farming discourage farmers from growing more wheat and this reduces the yields, triggering demand for the crop.
“This could also result in the hiking of bread and flour prices.
“Last year in December, there was an attempt by bakers to hike prices of bread, a move which we, as GMAZ, disapproved.”
He said the proposed price hikes were associated with high electricity charges and or erratic power supplies during the winter season.
“It was therefore creating room for unscrupulous business dealers who wanted to take advantage to influence the market.”