Published by the government of Zimbabwe
8 November 2007
Harare — GOVERNMENT will soon ensure seed maize producers are paid double what the commercial maize crop fetches to ensure adequate supplies next season.
The Minister of Agriculture, Cde Rugare Gumbo, yesterday told a weekly briefing on preparedness for this summer season that there was need to pay seed producers viable prices as an incentive to continue producing for the local and export markets.
"On the pricing issue of seed maize, we, as Government, want to stress that maize seed farmers must be paid viable prices. We are for massive production of all agricultural produce," Cde Gumbo said.
"We want to formulate a policy where maize seed price is double that of commercial seed so that we can encourage seed production."
Sufficient maize seed means the excess can be exported and earn the country foreign currency.
"There are a number of countries in the region who want seed maize and we can export (to them). Seed farmers should go ahead and produce more as we work on the prices of seed maize," he said.
Currently, seed maize producers are paid $25 million per tonne while the same seed is being resold for $78,5 million per tonne.
Seed producers have to ensure there is no contamination, which means no other maize variety can be grown within a 500-metre radius of the seed maize field. With the smaller farms now common, farmers wishing to move into seed maize might need to come together to minimise the risk of contamination.
Cde Gumbo said Government was, however, pleased with seed availability and has secured 30 000 tonnes against 50 000 tonnes they had targeted.
"We are happy with current maize seed situation. We planned to have 50 000 tonnes of maize seed and we have secured 30 000 tonnes. Right now, we have confirmed with seed houses 30 000 tonnes. We are in short supply of about 15 000 tonnes."
At least 4 000 tonnes of seed were reserved for Operation Maguta/Inala and A1 farmers while 2 000 tonnes would be sold directly to farmers by seed houses.
Through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Government has imported about 12 000 tonnes of seed from Zambia and there are plans to import more from other countries soon.
Cde Gumbo said the challenges were with small grains such as groundnuts and millet and consultations with the RBZ and seed houses were underway to import more seed.
On land preparation, the minister said this season the country has targeted to put at least two million hectares under maize but 138 000 hectares have been prepared so far.
Government, he added, was happy with the progress.
"So far we don't have the adequate statistics to give a full picture, but the information we have is that 138 000 hectares have been prepared.
"Getting statistics in rural areas is difficult but in due course we will provide the statistics," Cde Gumbo said.
He said farmers in all provinces had started preparations for the 2007/08 season and Government was pleased with the progress.
"I have reports from Cabinet ministers and MPs that everyone is busy preparing and some have already started planting. We urge farmers to do so as time does not wait for one," he said.
Minister of Agricultural Engineering, Mechanisation and Irrigation Cde Joseph Made also noted that seed production should be given highest priority.
"Pricing is very critical. Two years ago we came up with a pricing structure and this must be improved so that farmers are encouraged to produce and we can export seed maize," Cde Made said.
He said seed producers must be supported with implements such as tractors to boost production.
"Seed production must be given the highest priority. We must come up with a buffer of 24 months to 36 months of seed. We always do it to ease demand for next season and encourage early planting," he said.
Disbursement of the animal-drawn implements throughout the country was underway.
Cde Made said Government would continue monitoring progress on farms.
Secretary for Science and Technology Development Dr Francis Gudyanga said science and technology was critical to farming and urged farmers to take advantage of this.
He said science and technology could be used to contribute immensely in boosting fertilizer and seed supply.
"The role of science and technology in agriculture is important and we are trying to co-ordinate all sectors so that we are in a good position in terms of food security," Dr Gudyanga said.
Information and Publicity Minister Cde Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said his ministry was happy with the momentum of preparedness for the farming season, dubbed the "Mother of All Farming Seasons".
Cde Ndlovu challenged farmers to start working on their land at full throttle to put an end to food shortages.
"We are a member of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and we are going to reclaim our status as the breadbasket (of the Southern African region) given Government efforts, hence the theme 'Agriculture is the Economy and the Economy is the Land'.
"This is reality. Government takes agriculture seriously, hence the directive to keep the nation informed through these briefings," Cde Ndlovu said.
He said the weekly briefings, which started last month, would continue so as to keep the nation and the world informed on progress and developments in the agricultural sector.
Cde Ndlovu, who is also the acting Minister of Science and Technology, emphasised the importance of science and technology in boosting agricultural production.
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