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Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
FARMER organisations have urged government to avail resources to A2 farmers to enable them to meet set production targets.
The Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development responsible for Cropping Davis Marapira recently said a proposal was in the pipeline to set production targets for A2 farmers with effect from next year.
The targets are meant to boost agricultural productivity and help the country meet food security targets as spelt in the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.

Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union president Wonder Chabikwa commended the government’s proposal but urged the government to avail necessary funds for farmers.

“Land should be fully utilised and the proposal of setting production targets by government is indeed commendable. However, government must ensure that farmers are given inputs in order to meet the targets.

“The government should engage with banks on behalf of the farmers so as to assist them to obtain loans to use for procurement of inputs,” he said.

Chabikwa also said with government supporting the farmers the country would return to its glory of being the bread basket of the region.
“Farmers worldwide are given support by their governments, this ensures good productivity and creates food security. Zimbabwe will go back to its glory days of being the bread basket with adequate financial support and good rains,” he said.

Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union chief economist Prince Kuipa said the proposal was good for economic growth.
“A lot of land is lying idle due to farmers who claim to have land but in actual fact they are not utilizing the land. The proposal will ensure farmers meet their responsibility of providing food security in the nation thereby contributing to economic development,” he said.

The government a few months ago launched permits for A1 farmers which guarantees the farmer to make long term plans on their farms without any fear of being removed as it works as a title deed for the land.