Chief Reporter

Two months to summer cropping, Government has been encouraged to prepare adequately to avoid low national yields similar to last season’s.

A drought hit most of Sadc in 2014/15, with a number of countries recording deficits with Zambia registering the only maize surplus for export to the region.

Zimbabwe will spend roughly US$300 million on maize imports after harvesting less than one million metric tonnes of grain against national demand of 1,8 million.

This contributed, in part, to the downward revision in the country’s economic growth projection from 3,2 percent to 1,5 percent.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa said, “A lot still needs to be done and our biggest challenge has always been lack of input subsidies. In the end, we might still buy inputs at high prices that farmers do not afford.

“On contract farming, we expect Government to issue policy direction to ensure the system does not work against the farmers’ interests. We hope Government will address this urgently.”

Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union vice-president Mr Berean Mukwende added: “The major concern is most farmers have not received payment for grain they supplied last season. They need that money to purchase inputs and finance other activities.”

Harare-based agronomist Mr Peter Gambara said authorities should address agri-financing.

“Concerns around the bankability of farm leases should be resolved speedily. Banks are saying they want properties as collateral.

They are not to blame as farmers already contribute about 20 percent of the underperforming sector.

“Contract farming is only working in tobacco farming; there is a big problem when it comes to other crops. The contractor is leaving farmers with nothing.”

University of Zimbabwe agriculture economist Mr Obert Jiri weighed in saying, “I think banks are still stuck in the past.

‘‘The financial packages they are offering are the same ones they provided to white farmers. They should understand that things have changed and adjust to the order of this generation of farmers.

“It should not just be about farmers bringing houses as collateral, but about the equipment at the farm; livestock or other such means.

‘‘I put the blame on the banking sector because they need to be innovative and adjust their way of doing business.” During debate on the Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review in the National Assembly last Tuesday, Parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee chair Cde David Chapfika (Zanu-PF) said the US$91,3 million allocated to agriculture was inadequate.

“The committee noted with concern the lack of prioritisation by the Minister (of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa) to adequately fund the 2015/2016 agricultural season.

“The Honourable Minister stated that a total of US$1,7 billion is required for the season and that Government shall only finance a paltry US$91,33 million (5,37 percent of what was requested).”