Mashonaland Central Report to CFU Congress 2010-2011
Introduction
The province started off with the usual upbeat attitude with early planting rains being well received throughout the province. Most Commercial enterprises who were organized benefited from these rains and managed to get their crops planted early .The New Farmers were behind schedule and planted late losing valuable yield potential and in most cases resorted to levels of subsistence production for various reasons. The Communual sector again suffered from the usual shortages of, inputs and finances on time, and also managed to plant, but far too late in most cases. A combination of no finance and poor management let the Agricultural Sector down in this province and hence the crop that should have been cultivated did not reach potential in a large proportion of the province.
Rainfall
Rainfall was well received in the early part of the season and continued to be fairly patchy until January. In January the rain fell continuously and most late planted crops that were not well established were heavily affected by weeds and disease and full yield potential was not achieved. The rest of the season was fairly dry but enough rain was received to carry the crops through to maturity .The Dams in most areas received substantial runoff and the potential for wheat should have been high unfortunately potential will be lost again this year.
Land and Finance
The Farmers left practicing Agriculture in this province were continuing but at high risk as finance was poor, particularly for the Row Croppers and the New Farmers. The Banking Sector obviously need security for finance to be made available and Private Sector Finance can only made available once this Sector can trust that they will get the product back from the individuals who have borrowed the money with out side marketing. Again what has been stressed time and time again is that Finance will continue to be short until the land issue is dealt with and all previous Stake Holders have been fully compensated. Therefore crop shortages will continue and with grain prices up Zimbabwe will have to import commodity at inflated prices.
Zesa
The Province has not improved Zesa supply throughout the year and power cuts are the order of the day. These shortages are again a cause of concern as there is no point borrowing money at huge rates and not having sufficient Power in times of need. Development is thus diminished and with the cost of Fuel up from last year it is very expensive to pump water and cure tobacco by generator.
Row Crops and Tobacco
All Row Crops this year were a lot more viable than last year with Soya’s reaching record prices. The Maize prices were normal but again maize was short and some high prices being offered by GMB created a stir in the market. Cotton was again receiving favourable prices and there should be a much bigger crop put in the ground this year. Tobacco was financed heavily by the trade and a huge crop was expected but the heavy rains in January, has meant much lower yields. Row Cropping definitely needs Finance at stable rates and one hopes that in the not to distant future those who are able to farm or would like to farm can find an ally in the Private Sector to help Capitalize and Finance Production.
Livestock
The Cattle herd continues to diminish, however there is plenty of grass and water for the cattle to be maintained. The grazing available needs to be protected as the fires have started with huge tracts of land burnt already.
Conclusion
The Province again has not lived up to its potential. With Finances short many Farmers out there are just holding out and struggling day by day. There are very few Farmers left in the Province and there are large tracts of land not being cultivated. The status quo will continue for the foreseeable future and one only hopes that eventually this province will be in the forefront of production again. To the Leadership at CFU congratulations on keeping the Union Alive for another year. I wish you all the very best of luck in the coming year and lets hope that you can help us through what should be an interesting year.
Thank-You
Aidan Jackson