Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – A senior government official has warned farmers against borrowing short-term from financial institutions, as defaulting could lead to the loss of their farming assets.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Davis Marapira said this on Wednesday while addressing agro-sector stakeholders in the Matabeleland region.
The meeting brought together policymakers, industry players, financiers, farmers, and innovators to strategize on building a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
Marapira highlighted the need to tackle financial constraints in agriculture by expanding access to affordable credit, insurance, and grants for smallholder farmers.
“Farmers should not accept 12-month loan facilities. For instance, if a farmer wants to construct a dam, the repayment period should be 20 to 25 years. “If you take a short-term loan, creditors will come after your cattle in 15 months because you won’t have repaid.
“No matter how desperate you are, avoid these financial traps to protect your farm assets.” He also highlighted government efforts to improve market access by linking farmers to local and international buyers, ensuring fair prices for their produce.
Additionally, Marapira challenged smallholder farmers to increase their livestock numbers, saying that Zimbabwe’s current herd of 5.7 million cattle is still low.
“A true farmer should aim for at least 1,000 breeding cattle. The future of livestock farming depends on innovation. We will promote modern technologies like artificial insemination, precision farming, and digital herd management tools. “Training programs will also be rolled out to help farmers adopt these technologies effectively,” said Marapira.
He urged farmers to reduce costs by embracing new feed formulation technologies and research.
Marapira also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in mobilizing resources and expertise for agricultural development.
“Government alone cannot drive this transformation. We need private sector players, development partners, research institutions, and farmers’ organizations on board. “Research bodies must innovate solutions for our local context, while farmer groups should help disseminate knowledge and best practices,” said Marapira.
New Ziana
