Martin Kadzere
Senior Business Reporter
The coronavirus induced travel curbs are affecting procurement of agricultural inputs ahead of the forthcoming cropping season, with farmers now appealing to the Government to proffer solutions “sooner than later.”

“While the good health of citizens remains a priority amid declining Covid-19 infections and deaths, easing the restrictions is seen as critical given many farmers are starting preparations for the next season and need to mobilise inputs on time,” said Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU).

Zimbabwe was affected by a third wave of the coronavirus around April this year and the Government responded by introducing various measures to limit the spread of the highly infectious disease, including the ban on inter-city travel and overnight curfews.

On Tuesday, the Government relaxed some of the restrictions after the country recorded a sharp decline in infections and deaths.

These included resumption of sporting and arts activities to be conducted under strict Covid-19 regulations.

“As other restrictions are being eased, we also want travel restrictions to be eased sooner than later so that our farmers can travel to towns and cities to buy the inputs on time,” ZFU executive director Mr Paul Zakaria said in an interview with The Herald Finance & Business.

“Most farmers in communal areas rely on public transport to go to cities and towns to buy inputs.”

While there are some illegal transport operators plying inter city routes, their fares are too high.

Travellers also feel unsafe when using the illegal public transport.

There are concerns that the longer it takes to lift the inter city travel ban, retailers, most of them who peg prices using the foreign currency black market exchange rates might take advantage to increase the prices.

“It is difficult to travel to town because the buses are banned but that does not stop prices going up,” said Regina Sanyamandwe, a farmer in Mutasa District in Manicaland.

“By the time the ban is lifted, my money would probably buy far less and this will reduce my planted area and potential yields.”

Zimbabwe recorded a 30 percent decline in the number of infections, with 1 785 cases having been recorded last week, compared to the 2 564 reported the previous week, according to the official statistics released Tuesday.

This shows the infection control measures being implemented by the Government are yielding results, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.

There has also been a corresponding decrease in the number of people in need of hospitalisation for Covid-19. The bed occupancy rate was 14,5 percent during the review week, compared to the 17,8 percent reported previously.

“The figures reveal that we are coming out of the third wave and we hope some considerations (on travel ban) will be made,” said Mr Zakaria.

According to a seasonal forecast from the 25th Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF 25) released on Tuesday, normal to above normal rainfall is most likely during the next summer rains over most of SADC region.