Maravi

(HERALD) Chiredzi cane farmers clinch deal

Chiredzi cane farmers clinch deal
Masvingo Bureau

The Commercial Sugar-cane Farmers’ Association of Zimbabwe in Chiredzi has secured 200 tractors from a local firm in a multi-million-dollar farm mechanisation deal that will cushion some 600 indigenous cane producers in the low veld.

The tractors will be delivered in batches starting next week. Addressing hundreds of cane farmers at a meeting in Triangle at the weekend, association chairman Mr Admore Hwarare said the tractors would soon be delivered. Mr Hwarare said arrangements had been made for farmers to pay for the equipment over a five-year period at concessionary interest rates.

"We will soon take delivery of 200 tractors from Farmers’ World for cane farmers and it is our hope that these will go a long way in cushioning those whose operations were being hampered by lack of their own equipment.

"Many previously relied on hiring equipment from established milling companies whose charges are prohibitive.

"Our eventual goal is for each and every farmer to be independent in terms of equipment as we move towards consolidating the gains of the land reform programme.
"Arrangements have also been made for beneficiaries of the tractors to pay over a five-year period," said Mr Hwarare.

He stressed the importance of new farmers drastically increasing their sugar output and redeeming the Government’s decision to allocate them land in the capital-intensive industry that was previously a preserve of the white minority.

Mr Hwarare said indigenous farmers’ sugar output had plummeted to around 200 000 tonnes last year due to a myriad of problems, notably lack of equipment and other critical inputs such as seed and fertilizers.

Financial institutions have also been reluctant to support new cane farmers.
The cane farmers association chairman also revealed that they could contribute about 50 percent, or 300 000 tonnes, of cane per annum if given adequate support.

Labels: SUGAR CANE, TRACTORISATION

posted by MrK @ 7:51 PM