Harare — The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) has appealed to Government for funding to ensure a successful 2009/2010 agricultural season.

ZCFU president Wilson Nyabonda said yesterday the commercial farmers, like A1 and communal farmers, were short of funds to fully engage in production for the upcoming season.

"The money to put the crop into the ground is not there," he said. The US$140 million the Government had made available to small-holder farmers last month was commendable, he said, although it would go to only one sector.

"The money does not take into account the commercial farmers," he said, adding: "There is no real funding for commercial production at the moment."

Nyabonda said it was crucial to fully support agriculture, the primary source of raw materials for industry.

Government has set aside more than US$300 million for farming activities of which US$140 million is meant for small-scale maize producers and US$200 million for cotton and tobacco purchases.

Small-scale farmers have historically been the largest producers of maize, but some have upgraded to commercial farming.

Commercial farmers are largely associated with cash crops such as soya beans and tobacco which perform well on the market, giving rise to the general belief that they can fund their farming activities.

The recent changeover from local currency to multiple currencies in February had seriously affected farmers' ability to finance farming operations.

New Ziana.