9 July 2009
editorial
IT must be refreshing for thousands of peasant and small-scale farmers around the countryside to learn that Government will soon be releasing K20 billion as part of funds for the purchase of their produce.
What is also elating is the fact that these farmers, whose mainstay is basically to till the land, have done exceptionally well this harvest season, if the statistical forecast about a bumper crop is anything to go by.
The obvious immediate impact this development will have on the farmers is that there will be money in their pockets to enable them to buy basic services such as health and education for their children.
But rather than cry over delays in releasing money for the purchase of maize at the Government recommended floor price of K65,000, it is equally important to zero in on the fact that these small-scale farmers are vulnerable to price sharks who traverse the hinterland buying off this maize at low prices.
Such unfortunate occurrences happen on a daily basis and with the inherent poverty situations in our villages, coupled with the global economic crunch, you cannot blame these farmers for selling their produce for a song.
What everyone would like to see are workable systems that will cushion the peasant farmers who grow most of the staple food from being abused by these price sharks.
This can be enhanced through the timely grading of feeder roads to and from marketing places, provision of guaranteed and security enhanced grain storage areas near the areas of production and through a more elaborate register of farmers to strengthen the food security projections.
While the Government has made commendable strides in some of these areas, it is noteworthy that more effort is directed in the same areas.
Also important is the area of fertiliser and seed support to farmers, which over the years have proved to be a big success, and has undoubtedly increased food productivity.
However, a problem which has been brought to the attention of authorities is the openness of our borders.
It is incumbent upon patriotic and security conscious nationals who see this rampant theft of produce to report such cases to relevant authorities to put an end to these senseless acts.
Ultimately, it is the very Zambians who are losing their sense of independence through such dastardly acts. The Government can only do what it can.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 The Times of Zambia. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
