Agriculture pillars critical to agric recovery
Saturday, 26 March 2011 20:46
Dennis Zaranyika
Farmers’ unions
FARMERS are the backbone of all agricultural systems, without farmers there
would be no food and inadequate raw materials. Farmers are facing the
following challenges:
Inadequate funding, especially long-term loans and capital funds.
Low viability due to low producer prices.
Inadequate farm equipment and irrigation infrastructure.
All our farmers’ unions should work 24/7 to mobilise farmers and lobby for
their various requirements including conducive policies on agriculture.
Land
Availability of suitable land is vital for agriculture and the whole farming
community is urged to ensure that the land is used wisely following all
principles of land conservation so that we become highly productive.
Security of tenure should also be looked at critically so that farmers can
invest adequately on their farms.
Seed houses and other input suppliers
There are 10 seed companies in Zimbabwe and hard work has been put into
breeding adaptable varieties with high yields, disease and drought
tolerances. The seed industry managed to produce more than adequate maize
seed (+40 000 tonnes). Seed Co alone produced 22 000 tonnes in 2010 and
there is no need for seed imports into Zimbabwe. This will save a lot of
foreign currency that can be used for other priorities.
Seed is now readily available in almost all shops, hardwares and other
agro-dealers. Seed alone carries 20% of the potential yield, the rest is
determined by the crop management. Fertilisers supply the essential crop
nutrients for crop growth and good yields. Fertiliser and crop chemicals
availability has improved quite significantly, most outlets have stocks of
fertiliser and crop chemicals.
Finance institutions
Banks have agribusiness units that fund farmers and financing agriculture
has been a challenge due to collateral issues. However, banks have been
bold and funded our farmers despite the loan security issues. Suitable
long-term loans that cover the crop growth cycles are required and we urge
banks to provide farmers with the required working capital as well as
capital funding requirements (tractors, implements, centre pivots etc).
Government and extension services
Government has consistently kept agriculture moving forward, even under the
hyper-inflation conditions. This was done through inputs and infrastructure
support (seed, fertiliser, tractors and implements). The agriculture sector
requests government to continue supporting farmers in order to build their
capacity. Agritex plays a pivotal role in the provision of much needed
agronomic and other extension support. Agritex also co-ordinates all pillars
of agriculture to achieve food security. Other farmer organisations should
work with Agritex and the government to execute projects that benefit the
farming community and the whole economy.
Agro-dealers
Agro-dealers provide the vital link between input suppliers and the farming
community. Inputs and other farm requirements are available in the farming
areas (at the door step) through the agro-dealers.
Most agro-dealers stock seed, fertilisers, crop chemicals and farm
implements. Farmers should buy their requirements from nearest agro-dealers
to reduce on transport and other buying costs. There are a number of
initiatives being implemented by NGOs and donors to strengthen agro-dealers
through the voucher system. Lets all support these noble initiatives that
will improve farm inputs.
Weather
The rainfall pattern for this country can be a big challenge to the
agriculture sector. This is particularly so in years of drought and poor
distribution of the rainfall. Farmers are encouraged to invest in irrigation
systems to mitigate the effects of drought and the impact of climate change.
Weather forecasts and their interpretations are key for proper planning of
agricultural activities. Agritex and other extension staff should assist
farmers to interpret the weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
Markets
Availability of suitable markets provides a pull factor for growers to
produce more and more. All stakeholders must pay competitive prices for the
produce from our farmers. Farmers’ unions and others must link all farmers
with the markets as this is paramount for continued production. There is
need to explore foreign markets for surpluses as the seed sector is at the
verge of having surplus seed for exports.
Recommendations
All farmers’ unions should continue mobilising farmers for organised
production and lobby for conducive policies on agriculture.
Security of tenure should be quickly addressed so that farmers can invest
adequately on their farms.
Seed production, fertiliser and crop chemicals availability should be
accessible to farmers timely.
Suitable long-term loans should be extended to farmers.
— Dennis Zaranyika is the managing director of Seed Co Zimbabwe.