Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Don't blame food prices only on land reform

Don't blame food prices only on land reform
Nyasha - Opinion
Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:42:00 +0000

DEAR EDITOR – Why is that when it comes to Zimbabwe, the lack of food security and high food prices are blamed solely on land reforms whereas in other countries where the same is happening, this is blamed on increased energy prices, competition between biofuels and food, effects of sudden climatic shocks such as drought and floods (Times Online 8/4/2008 and 18/08/2008).
We are certainly being fed lies by the western press to justify their regime change agenda.

However, in the Zimbabwe situation some of our own unscrupulous individuals and companies are exploiting the lack of food security to enrich themselves. Those hoarding farming inputs such as fertilizers and seeds are some of these culprits.

Just ‘google’ some of the Zimbabwe outfits that are selling fertilizer and seeds via websites to Diasporas. One such outfit was selling 50kg of Compound A and D for £7.49 each just 2 months ago. The same outfit is now selling the same fertilizer for £38.00 for 50kg – a 407% mark up.

This is extortion.

Another website is selling 25kg of the same fertilizer for £44.00 (a mark up of 1,007%.

These individuals and companies are greedy, exploitative and holding Zimbabweans both here and abroad at ransom. They are just as bad as those who have imposed sanctions and the agrichemical and seeds companies that are holding a gun to the heads of small farmers.

The powers to be in Zimbabwe need to locate where these dodgy warehouses are (where they are hiding the fertilizer and seeds), and bring them to book.

People in the Diaspora should name and shame these dodgy websites and refuse to do any business with them.

As for the people in Zimbabwe, please refuse to be exploited by these fly by night operators. You have power as consumers; boycott the shops selling goods at exorbitant prices whether in forex or Zimbabwean dollars. Run them out of business. Be part of the solution and not the problem by driving these greedy and corrupt individuals out of town.

[Nyasha is an acronym of a Zimbabwe Guardian contributor]

Labels: COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, FOOD, LAND REFORM

posted by MrK @ 1:26 AM