By Marsha Sengwe
A recent farmers vox pop with Nehanda Guardian revealed that most self supporting farmers are finding inputs prices exorbitant.
Nehanda Guardian had a vox pop with random farmers recently at the Matepatepa bus stop.
Matepatepa is a farms community outside Bindura to the north stretching to Mazowe and Mt Darwin.
It is Bindura district’s bread basket in terms of food production.
Farmers said they were in dire need of government interference and support on inputs prices.
Cognisant that last season was also a bad season to them, many farmers said they were seriously financially cripled.
“Due to the El Nino induced drought of last season, many farmers recorded loss.
“Now, that is impacting their production this year, they sold nothing and lost much,” said Mr. Choto Bindura Farmers Association chairperson.
The costs of essential inputs, such as seeds and fertilizers, have surged, potentially hindering production and forcing farmers to opt for uncertified seeds, which could compromise yields.
Maize seed prices are ranging from US$37 to US$50 per 10kg bag, depending on the variety, while fertilizer prices have reached US$30 for a 50kg bag of compound D and US$36 for ammonium nitrate. These prices are significantly higher than what many farmers can afford, particularly following the El-Nino-induced drought that affected the country.
Tawana Nyahoni one of the farmers interviewed said the high input costs will force many farmers to resort to uncertified seeds, negatively impacting output.
“Cognisant that last season was poor, very few farmers made profits. It means many do not have money to buy the inputs hence we are pleading for government intervention to at least control the inputs price,” Nyahoni emphasised.
“Not many of us will be able to afford proper and enough inputs considering that people are already suffering from El Nino effects, where much funds are channelled towards essential cereals,” said another farmer on condition of anonymity.
Traditionally, rural farmers relied on manure as a natural fertilizer, but widespread livestock deaths have necessitated the purchase of commercial fertilizers.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) Secretary General Paul Zakariya emphasized the need for collective action among stakeholders to restore stability and fairness to the agricultural market.
The rising input costs pose significant challenges to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, threatening food security and economic stability. With the country still recovering from the drought, it is essential for the government, farmers, and other stakeholders to work together to address these issues.
In 2022, Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector accounted for 12% of the country’s GDP, employing over 60% of the labor force. The sector’s growth is critical to the country’s economic development.
To address the challenges faced by farmers, the government and stakeholders must prioritize affordable access to certified seeds and fertilizers, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and strengthen farmer organizations and cooperatives.
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