Maravi

(HERALD) Farmers get reprieve on equipment loans

Farmers get reprieve on equipment loans
Business Reporter

FARMERS who accessed farming equipment under the Farm Mechanisation Programme have been granted temporary reprieve by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe from repaying loans on the equipment this season. Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr Gideon Gono told a Chiefs Council’s meeting in Bulawayo last week that the central bank would not be too stringent on the repayments because the season had not gone according to expectations due to excessive rains.

He was responding to a question from a chief who had asked to have proceeds from the sale of his maize to be channelled towards repayments for the tractor he had received under the mechanisation programme.

Dr Gono told the chiefs that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was cognisant of the difficulties faced by farmers during the season and would want them to have leeway to meet some of their obligations.

"We know that you have issues that you need to address and we will want you to use that money to address those issues.

"Besides we are the ones who should be asking about that money but we have not made any demands," he said.

At least 2 725 tractors, 1 846 ploughs, 1 733 harrow, 746 boom sprayers, 608 fertiliser spreaders and 466 planters have so far been disbursed under the three phases of the Farm Mechanisation Programme.

Other equipment disbursed include 105 combine harvesters, 210 hay bailers, 3 000 grinding mills, 5 000 generators, 680 motor bikes, 78 000 scotch carts, 46 200 cultivators, 2 000 planters, 100 000 ploughs, 130 000 harrows and 92 000 knapsacks.

Meanwhile, Dr Gono said the central bank would be going ahead with its programme to reward farmers who have excelled in terms of production this season.

During the launch of the second phase of the mechanisation programme last year, Dr Gono said that farmers who excelled during the current season and delivered the most tonnage of maize to the Grain Marketing Board would be rewarded with fully paid up holidays within the region and spending money.

Dr Gono said that his officials who were on a maize-buying mission in different parts of the country had the dual responsibility of evaluating farmers who could be considered for the awards.

He however said they had relaxed their conditions and would also consider names of farmers that would have been forwarded by chiefs, who might have excelled but not necessarily have delivered their crop to the GMB.

Labels: FARMERS, GIDEON GONO, LOANS, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 4:50 AM