Zimpapers Logo

Evans S Zininga  
In this information era, it is only fair that we all participate accordingly in educating and empowering the nation.
It is on that note, that I hereby introduce this weekly Agricultural Column for the benefit of all farmers in Zimbabwe.The Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIM-ASSET) identifies Food Security and Nutrition Clusters as some of its major pillars and it clearly states, “The thrust of the Food Security and Nutrition Cluster is to create a self-sufficient and food surplus economy and see Zimbabwe reemerge as the Bread basket of Southern Africa”.

ZIM-ASSET further asserts that the Government of Zimbabwe “ . . . Will ensure . . . Farmers timeously access affordable farming inputs. Policies will be sought to rightly put in place and to promote contract farming initiatives.

“Agriculture has to be taken seriously and be accorded the first priority it deserves as a sector; the Government has pledged to give this sector a 1st priority approach window, including funding issues.”

The Government ‘“ . . . will mobilise funding from domestic resources, which are in abundance and readily available for full exploitation and utilisation.”

It is in this notion that THE JOINT VENTURE BY LASCH ENTERPRISES AND ZANU-PF YOUTH LEAGUE presents itself for Agricultural Inputs Support Schemes to achieve the intended level of Food Security and Nutrition Cluster by 2018, which is an assignment to fulfill the ZANU-PF Party Government manifesto.

There are limitations within the farming and Agri-Business landscape which should be addressed to ensure a revival strategy for agriculture as a sub sector of our economy. These are, among many others:

Under-capitalisation of their operations due to liquidity challenges and to the lack of affordable credit facilities and, when available, unreasonable interest rates and loan tenor. This has significantly reduced the growers’ capacity to fund their capital expenditure requirements and operating expenses. The overview shows difficulty in growers managing large hectarage and maximising on high yields.

Inappropriate technology limiting Farmers to low yielding types of production.

Inadequate business and technical knowledge.

Rather punishing market system(i.e. municipal markets) characterised by a lot of challenges like uneconomic prices in a market controlled by “makoronyeras” (market thugs) that often force prices down to ridiculous levels.

Unnecessarily high supply chain costs (e.g. cost of hiring transport for inputs distribution, tillage facilities, labour movement, market research, management, irrigation, harvesting, processing and value addition)

High “social costs” and trampled human dignity at the hands of informal traders and middle men who dictate forced prices to farmers in various parts of the country at the expense of their profitability.

No access to relevant information in terms of supply and demand patterns in the market for agricultural products, often resulting in a mismatch between supply and demand thereby forcing prices down and/or unavoidable “dumping” of produce.

No ready sources of inputs (eg seed, fertilizers, agro-chemicals, veterinary drugs etc) and, when available, uncompetitive prices. Regional inputs prices are subsidised way below our general trend.

Farmers have benefited from the Agrarian Land reform Programme, but they, however, need further support with other pointers that would make them a better business people. The joint venture has tailor-made a “6 Pack Plan” in order for farmers’ ventures to be profitable on a sustainable basis. The following elements comprise of the “6 Pack Plan”:

1. Access to funding and inputs
2. Access to farmer and product security/insurance
3. Access to appropriate growing technology
4. Access to a ready market
5. Access to technical support
6. Access to logistics

Technology is a key factor to modern farming. All players should be cognisant of the key trade enablers for today’s farmers to maximise their full potential and drive towards the success of ZIM-ASSET and Agriculture as a sub sector and pillar of possible development for Zimbabwe.

We need to take advantage of all possible platforms that are now available to assist in disseminating information to the farmers in/on time. We need to work at promoting communication linkages as emphasised in our ZIM ASSET economic Blue Print.

Research and Development should never stop for us as a nation and we are Ambassadors of such promotion to greater levels. We should engage and work with all private and public stakeholders on this one. Production trainings through all stakeholders should be run across the country and these will up skill farmers on;

Appreciation of the technology that underpins various agriculture production systems and use thereof in day-to-day farming structures.
Knowledge of sound agronomic practices(i.e. land preparation, irrigation regimes, disease control, feeding regimes and Fertigation, crop harvesting, etc);

Good crop varieties and animal breeds.

Business appreciation.

Agricultural extension services through farm visits.

Leveraging technology in the provision of key updates to growers on sector/market information(eg telephonic consultations, text messages, Facebook updates, etc)

Conducting research on improved hybrid varieties, better cropping systems, etc.

Organising annual field days for growers.

We shall be running this weekly column from my Office to keep Zimbabwe informed on our effort and the support we share and cherish from various players in the sub sector.

We will run lot of business development programmes, training workshops, capacity building, market surveys, value chain prospects, investment arms in agriculture, partnerships with NGOs and private sector interventions, technical advice, agro-dealership and general agriculture consultancy services. It is our pledge, thus this page will serve to enrich and empower local farmers in many ways!

Till next week.

Evans Zininga is an Agronomist by profession. He sits on the Board of Animal Farm Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd; he is a past national Board Member of SOFECSA-A University of Zimbabwe Innovation Platform for Farmers in Zimbabwe. He writes for the Farmer’s Magazine – A column called Agri Business Forum. He brings a lot of experience in Research, Development and Project Management. He has now been appointed Managing Director of the Zanu-PF Youth League and Lasch Enterprises P/L Joint Venture. The Joint Venture Management can be contacted on 04-668773 or [email protected]; Website: www.laschjv.co.zw