Maravi

(HERALD) A2 farmers need State support

A2 farmers need State support

Editor — May I, through your widely-read paper, ask the inclusive Government what it is doing for Model A2 resettled farmers for the 2009/10 summer cropping season. I raise this concern mainly because we only hear of facilities for small-scale farmers. Nothing has been mentioned for large-scale commercial farmers like us, except those who grow tobacco.

We used to rely on loans from the Agricultural Development Bank, but the bank says it does not have money to loan out to farmers. Some of us had developed a very strong business relationship with Agribank, but the bank cannot help as it needs to be recapitalised by its shareholder, the Government.

Time is running out. Without financial support, we farmers cannot successfully go it alone. Farmers the world over enjoy immeasurable support from their governments. This explains why the United States is against the removal of agricultural subsidies it extends to its farmers.

I, therefore, appeal to President Mugabe to make a timely intervention and announce a package for A2 farmers. Please give Agribank the money for agricultural loans. We still need time to grow up.

Those involved in farming will understand me. Even white Rhodesian farmers enjoyed government support up to the time we took back our land.

We look forward to you President Mugabe, otherwise the land reform programme that you spearheaded will be doomed. Not all in the inclusive Government wish the land reform well.

Aluta Continua.

Labels: A2 FARMERS, LAND REFORM

posted by MrK @ 4:39 PM