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Herald Reporter
A women farmers’ organisation has called on the Government to support small-scale farmers in a move to secure food security in the country.Speaking in Chivhu last week, Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president Mrs Depinah Nkomo said it was high time the Government gave priority to women saying they are the pillars in the mainstream of the economy.

“If women get enough support of inputs and farm machinery from the Government I guarantee you that the Grain Marketing Board will be filled following the predictions of normal to above normal rainfall patterns in many parts of the country,” she said.

Mrs Nkomo said small-scale farmers needed long term loans from banks which range from five to 10 years so that they are be able to pay back.

“It is our hope as women that the new Government would support disadvantaged members to access loans from financial institutions for them to be able to acquire farming equipment and inputs,” said Mrs Nkomo.

Recently banks set aside US$620 million for agriculture loans and 50 percent of that total going towards tobacco and 4,87 percent set for maize.

This year, Government struck a deal with Zambian authorities for the importation of 150 000 metric tonnes of maize grain to curb the problem of hunger in most areas.

Zimbabwe requires 1,4 million tonnes of grain for human consumption and 350 000 tonnes for livestock and other uses annually.