Successful season: Time farmers play ball

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ZIMBABWE’S economy is firmly anchored in agriculture and as such every effort must be made to preserve and consolidate the gains from the country’s farming enterprises. Government has over the years continued to ensure that the conclusion of the fast track Land Reform Programme bears fruit by promoting increased productivity, profitability and sustainability in the sector.

President Mnangagwa is championing this cause through efforts that aim to promote the smooth operations of the agriculture industry and streamline it with the National Development Strategy 1 in pursuit of the Vision 2030 goals.

The 2021 Second Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report adopted by Cabinet last month highlighted a hugely productive 2020-21 farming season characterised by high yields.

From the record maize harvest, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) is expected to take delivery of 2.8 million tonnes, the most since the agrarian reform. The production of traditional grains, cereal, cotton, tobacco and soya beans was also significantly high. Overall, it surpassed last season’s crop production remarkably. Now, as we bask in this success story, it is important for all stakeholders in the sector to keep the gathered momentum going. A lot of positives can be drawn from the agriculture sector’s outstanding performance which was driven by Government initiatives such as Pfumvudza and Command Agriculture.

Productivity has been revitalised. Food insecurity will surely be eradicated as we turn a corner in returning to our bread basket status.

Established 1893

To ensure sustainability in the sector, the Government recently reintroduced the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) to ensure that farmers’ financial requirements are taken care of. Farmers can pivot their activities on the fiscal assistance from the institution. Regulations that criminalise side marketing of crops such as soya beans and raw cotton have also been gazetted as the Government ups the game on foodand nutrition security riding on the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy vehicle. Farmers can, therefore, deal with side marketers at their own peril and they stand to lose out on a lot by engaging in these nefarious activities. The Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) is also being restructured as a way of helping farmers transform from subsistence to commercial players by training and technically capacitating them, with 1.8 million household earmarked to benefit.

“Farming ought to transform to become not just a hobby or subsistence but a business,” President Mnangagwa has reiterated.

These concerted efforts and measures by the Government are meant to even the playing field for farmers, ensure that they get the support they deserve in order to deliver and guard against their manipulation by unscrupulous merchants. With all this one good turn after the other by the Government, which certainly deserves another, it is now over to the farmers to do their part as well. They ought to play ball by complementing all these well-meaning endeavours. For starters, to unlock and utilise the AFC facilities farmers have to come up with bankable plans and undertake viable projects which will enable them to repay their loans within the agreed time frame. Repaying of loans helps the lending institution to recapitalise and remain operational with its coffers replenished.

From the profitability of their initiatives, farmers will be able to weaned themselves off from leaning heavily on the Government. The whole idea, starting from the fast track Land Reform Programme, has always been to empower farmers and hinge economic growth on those enterprises.

Despite other pressing commitments like the fight against the global Covid-19, the Government has continued to avail inputs and other resources to ensure the wheels of agriculture remain welloiled and in motion. As we cherish the gains of a successful farming season, it is time farmers play ball and complement the Government’s efforts for continued economic prosperity.