Maravi

(SUNDAY MAIL ZW) It’s time for clear agricultural policies — Zhanda

It’s time for clear agricultural policies — Zhanda
Saturday, 21 July 2012 00:00
Agriculture Reporter

Goromonzi North Member of Parliament Cde Paddy Zhanda yesterday challenged Government to come up with a clear agricultural policy to boost food production. Speaking at the Pioneer Hi-Bred national maize grower of the year awards ceremony at Juru Growth Point, Cde Zhanda said challenges experienced in the sector needed a policy conducive to production. The first prize went to Gokwe South farmer Mr Stanley Makuvaza who won a trip to the United States of America.

Other best farmers at district, provincial and national level walked away with tonnes of compound D, Ammonium Nitrate fertilisers and half tonne maize seed each.

National winners were also rewarded with holidays. Ten outstanding provincial Agritex officers went home with motor bikes.

“Government should not lie to farmers. It is a lie that Government can buy cotton from farmers. It does not have the money and buying cotton from farmers is not even the solution to the low price issue,” he said.

Cde Zhanda said cotton prices were internationally controlled and there was nothing Zimbabwe could do to manipulate cotton prices.

“Let us not lie that we can control cotton prices. It is better to educate farmers to get meaningful input packages from contractors so that they boost productivity per hectare,” he said.

Cde Zhanda urged Government to invest in research and development that ensures farmers to get high yields per hectare.

“We cannot do anything to increase cotton prices. Instead we should work on improving varieties so that we boost yield per hectare from the current 800kgs per hectare to 2 000kgs per hectare and in that way, farmers will able to get meaningful profits from the crop,” he said.

He lamented the inaccessibility of markets as another challenge affecting farmers.
“It does not make sense that we encourage farmers to produce when they do not have markets,” he said.

Cde Zhanda applauded Pioneer Hi-bred for the farmer’s competition, which he described as the best social responsibility. He said poverty elimination would remain a dream if people were given handouts.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, PADDY ZHANDA

posted by MrK @ 2:17 PM