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Zimbabwe: Farmers Urged to Ignore 'Urban Sharks' in Selling of Produce
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 Published by the government of Zimbabwe |
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The Herald (Harare)
24 July 2008
Posted to the web 24 July 2008
Midlands
MIDLANDS Governor Cde Cephas Msipa yesterday urged farmers to ignore "urban sharks" going around promising to buy their produce in foreign currency.
Speaking at the second edition of the Gweru Agricultural Show at Vungu Rural District Council offices yesterday, Cde Msipa, who was the guest of honour, said farmers who think of selling their produce should instead do so through the Grain Marketing Board to avoid starvation.
The Midlands Governor said only the GMB was the reserve basket of the nation that had ideal infrastructure for the storage of grain.
"Your exhibits show that there are some farmers in Lower Gweru and Chiundura areas who produced more than enough for their families and the local community. However, let me be quick to point out that there are hungry sharks who are currently hunting for your produce.
Some of them are even trying to entice you by using foreign currency so that you are tempted to sell all your grain and if you do that your families will remain starving," he said.
This year's show, which began yesterday and ends today, is being held under the theme:
"A fully mechanised farmer, a pillar to improved agricultural production".
Crops and produce on display included maize, pumpkin, tomato, bean, groundnut, roundnut and butternut.
Cde Msipa said the theme was an indication that farmers in the district and in the country at large were appreciative of Government efforts of equipping them.
He said the farm mechanisation programme was meant to ensure food security in the country during coming seasons and remove the burden on Government of importing food.
Cde Msipa lamented the manner in which tractors and other farming implements were being distributed, saying it frustrated production at the farms.
"We need to improve in the manner we distribute these implements. Each ward should have at least a tractor or two so those beneficiaries can assist their counterparts. Farm mechanisation is a good programme but it needs to improved to allow productive and deserving farmers to benefit," he said.
"I invited Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono to officially open the provincial agricultural show on Saturday so that he may speak on farm mechanisation, a programme sponsored by the central bank".
Cde Msipa also encouraged farmers to grow jatropha and help improve the country's fuel situation.
"Fuel is expensive. Government is losing a lot of forex on fuel importation. If we all grow jatropha we will alleviate the fuel problem and save foreign currency," he said.
Turning to the dangers posed by climatic change and the menace of HIV/Aids, the Governor urged farmers to grow small grains, which are drought resistant and form a health diet.
"The current trend of seasons has rudely reminded us of our traditional crops such as millet, sorghum and rapoko. Let us increase hectarage of such small grains because they produce better yields for us during bad seasons. They also have less disease and pest problems. After all science has proved that traditional foods make up a very healthy diet," he said.
Cde Msipa said HIV-related diseases have wiped out professionals that include farmers, teachers, doctors and even politicians and it was time those who doubted the danger posed by the menace to change their ways.
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"Please, ngatizvibatei. This disease is real and people are perishing. Abstinence is the best route to follow but, if you cannot, please protect," he counselled.
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