Govt warns defaulting Command Agric beneficiaries

GOVERNMENT has warned defaulting farmers under Command Agriculture that they risk becoming ineligible to benefit from future allocations.

Acting director in the office of the Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Minister, Mr Douglas Chiwiro, told farmers who attended a Cotton Field Day in Sanyati recently that Government was working with Agritex officers to compile the list of all defaulting farmers.

Mr Chiwiro said Command Agriculture was inherently a loan facility and farmers were expected to pay their obligations.

He urged tobacco farmers, whose sector was now being considered under the input support scheme, to consider joining the scheme.

“Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga (Retired) last week said Government had roped in tobacco under Command Agriculture,” said Mr Chiwiro. “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.”

Mr Chiwiro 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,” he said. “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.”

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,” he said. “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.”

Mr Chiwiro said farmers could access other programmes like 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 where extension officers would be of much assistance to the farmers in explaining the programme.”

Mr Chiwiro urged farmers to be productive so as to contribute to Zimbabwe’s economic development agenda.

He urged farmers to adapt to changing weather patterns.

“Our rainfall patterns are now unpredictable and are changing almost every season,” he said.

“Its high time farmers plant a variety of crops, including drought-resistant ones in cases of disasters like droughts.”