AGRICULTURE: Govt should stimulate growth

Stakeholders have urged Government to expeditiously stimulate agricultural production in order to complement initiatives such as the land reform programme and the recent downsizing of farms.

Recently, Government moved with speed to downsize farms larger than between 250 to 500 hectares, depending on the region.

While some quarters have argued that the initiative would automatically see production levels going up, some parliamentarians and war veterans are of the view that more still needs to be done to stimulate productivity.

Former Mashonaland West Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association chairman, Cde Edmore Matanhike said downsizing of farms would not lead to increased production if the sector does not fully irrigation exploit irrigation and mechanisation.

“There has been numerous droughts from the year 2002 with very insignificant rainfall which has resulted in the downfall of production on the farms. We need to address the issue of irrigation systems installation as well as rehabilitation so that we are assured of enough water to thwart droughts,’’ he said

He said that some people who initially distanced themselves from the land reform programme were pushing for the downsizing of farms as they have now realised that this was not a political gimmick.

“Government must decide how many farmers it wants to have under A2, commercial, as well as A1 so that there is a time when we will say it is all over. Not everyone can get land because the population is increasing but our land is not. We cannot continue disturbing those already on the farms in order to accommodate everyone. We lose focus by so doing,’’ argued Cde Matanhike.

“Some are actually witch hunting in the name of downsizing. Some think that this is their chance to make money as they demand kickbacks from land seekers while some are abusing the exercise to settle scores with those already on the farms. This whole downsizing exercise stinks,’’ said an irate Cde Matanhike. Questions that were sent to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Rural resettlement, Mr Nyasha Dendera had not been responded to by the time of going to print.

Cde Matanhike also pointed out the need for policy consistency. “There must be continuity to policies. The Americans and the British, they continue following their policies of imperialism. They do not change no matter who gets into office. If we say our economy is agro-based, let us prioritise that, ’’ he stressed.

Cde Matanhike also called for the subsidisation of agricultural activities.

Uncertainty of funding has seen agricultural production going down over the last few years. Funding can be in all forms. This can be through accessing affordable loans, accessing farming equipment and through the provision of subsidised inputs, among other forms. Cde Matanhike said that during the early stages of the land reform programme, Government directed all its efforts on provision of subsidised inputs to newly resettled farmers and this must be applauded. However, more needs to be done.

Members of Parliament who were debating on the Presidential Address during the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament also highlighted that Government needs to stimulate production on farms.

Mutasa South Member of Parliament, Cde Irene Zindi said while the idea behind the land reform programme was to economically empower Zimbabweans and to ensure that they earn a living from farming.

Farming must be viewed from a business perspective. However, the situation currently obtaining is the opposite. She said that it cannot be disputed that there are some farmers who are failing to fully utilise their farms, the issue of certainty in the sector must also be addressed. Take for instance, the amendment of the bankable 99-year lease agreements has remained in the pipeline for the past two years. Banks have made it clear that they will only accept the leases after amendment. In other countries such as Zambia and Namibia, lease agreements are actually bankable with farmers using these to borrow from banks.

One clause in the current lease gives the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement the power to repossess a farm if he or she feels that land has got to be repossessed by the State for development or other reason.

“That alone brings uncertainty, thereby discouraging productivity,’’ she said.

“We need to avail systems and formulate policies that stimulates production on the farms and also ensure that our farmers have got all the requisite necessities that will make them productive,’’ Cde Zindi pointed out.

“The decision solely lies with us as policy makers that we should make these lease agreements bankable. I see no reason why we should either look East or West or South or whatever direction in order for us to be able to finalise our lease agreements,’’ she added.

Numerous meetings have been conducted between Government and the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe. The farmers are anxiously waiting for a breakthrough. Instead, the current emphasis on downsizing of farms seem to have overtaken the lease agreement issue. Farmer organisations have said that they are handicapped in terms of production due to the fact that they cannot access loans.

The other issue which also need urgent attention is that of marketing the farm produce. For those who are able to access loans, they have nightmares when it comes to marketing their products. Some even lose their produce as they do not have access to good markets.

Although the Agricultural Marketing Authority is in place, their activities are little known and the Authority needs to up its game. When contacted for comment, AMA chief executive officer Mr Rocky Mutenha said that he was not in a position to respond on the issue.