Mechanise agric sector, say farmers

FARMERS in Mashonaland West province have called on Government to consolidate the success of Command Agriculture by mechanising the agricultural sector.

Most of the equipment being used by farmers is obsolete and inefficient, which has affected levels of production.

Provincial crop and livestock production officer Mrs Edna Shambare said the province was battling a shortage of farming equipment.

“There is a very thin line between success and failure, but we observed that Command Agriculture, which Government initiated has benefited a lot of people,” she said.

“However, our main appeal specifically for this province with vast potential and farmers eager to work, is the need for a holistic approach that also caters for the improvement in farming techniques. Failure to address that leads to inefficiencies and lower productivity.”

Mrs Shambare further said unlike the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme where people were being given free inputs, Command Agriculture relies on increased production for farmers to be able to repay their loans and make a profit.

“Command Agriculture is commercial production where Government expects five tonnes per hectare, but due to challenges facing farmers, they are currently producing around three tonnes per hectare in the province,” she said.

“Machinery is not enough to make farmers achieve maximum production on their allocated farms. We wish that the roll-out of the irrigation programme is expedited.”

Mrs Shambare highlighted labour related challenges being faced by farmers and working capital constraints associated with commercial production.