Maravi

(HERALD) Farmers urged to produce more

Farmers urged to produce more
Chinhoyi Bureau

FARMERS failing to produce on their land are betraying the ideals and objectives of leaders such as President Mugabe who have been the pillars and drivers of the agrarian reforms, a Zanu-PF official has said.

Speaking at the official opening of the Chinhoyi Agriculture Show on Saturday, Mhangura Member of Parliament-elect Dr Douglas Mombeshora said Government had done a lot to support resettled farmers through interventions such as mechanisation and input support schemes and the onus was now on the farmers to produce and ensure the agriculture sector gets back on track.

"The Government for the past seven seasons has played a pivotal role in supporting the new farmer as a strategy to get his feet into a sector that was dominated by a few individuals. It is within this context that failure to ensure productivity in agriculture should be taken as a great betrayal to the ideals and principles of the leaders who have been pillars of this revolution," said Dr Mombeshora.

He said farmers should take agriculture as a serious business whose benefits were realised through hard work, networking and meticulous planning.

The businessman, farmer and medical doctor deplored the tendency by some farmers to divert inputs provided by Government to the black market.

Although pricing in the agriculture sector was sometimes unfavourable, he urged farmers to plan ahead.

"The market pricing might not be favourable but a strategic farmer is one who projects his productivity for the next three to five seasons and plans for it today, sets a solid foundation today, and sees opportunities when others are sleeping," he said.

He implored key stakeholders in agriculture such as Arex, seed houses and food processors to come up with effective programmes to support small holder farmers as they were central to the sustenance of families and communities.

Dr Mombeshora expressed optimism the talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC would result in a solid foundation for economic recovery and a political settlement.

"I fully support the view that we can be different in our thinking but we are Zimbabweans first with an unquestionable capacity to champion our desired economic and political destiny.

"I am positive that our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters will come out of the talks with a sumptuous package for the benefit of all Zimbabweans."

This year’s show running under the theme "Economic Development through Enhanced Agriculture Productivity" attracted fewer exhibitors and saw less people visiting compared to last year.

Some people could not afford the $350 billion ($35) that was being paid by adults at the gate and $170 billion ($17) for children.

"The entry fee is a bit steep considering that cash is hard to come by. If you have a family of six you need well over $1 trillion ($100 revalued).

Chinhoyi Show Society president Mr Peter Flanagan bemoaned the low support from Government departments this year, saying support from the departments engenders enthusiasm among farmers.

Exhibitors included Government departments such Arex, Zimra, police, the army and private companies such as Moples Investment which specialises in irrigation equipment and small holder farmers who exhibited crops such as groundnuts and maize among others.

Labels: CHINHOYI AGRICULTURE SHOW, FARMERS

posted by MrK @ 4:32 AM