Government admits dismal failure of wheat farmers

By Tererai Karimakwenda
17 July 06

Last Friday the state controlled paper The Herald admitted that the country’s new farmers have failed to meet the targets set for wheat production this season. The Herald report said the farmers are expected to produce even less than last year. The paper has been used consistently by the government to contradict any reports that show the failure of the chaotic land reform programme. So last Friday’s admission that the farmers had failed dismally is important as a sign that the truth about agriculture can no longer be kept secret.

The government has been boasting that its initiatives will bring about a bumper wheat harvest this year, but according to the Herald farmers expect to harvest only 218 046 tonnes. And Zimbabwe needs a minimum of 400 000. Economic Development Minister Rugare Gumbo was quoted saying: "This implies a deficit of 168 954 tonnes which the country has to import." Given the critical shortage of foreign currency, the government will struggle to import that much wheat not to mention the required tonnes of maize.

Wheat is not the only crop that has fallen victim to the government’s illegal eviction of white commercial farmers which began in 2000. This chaotic land grab brought in a slew of new farmers with no experience, no fertiliser, no seeds, no irrigation equipment and other resources. As a result the production of many other crops that used to bring in major amounts of foreign currency has decreased significantly.

Chiredzi farmer Gerry Whitehead told us that sugar production in the lowveld area has decreased 30-40% since 2000. He said sugar has become even more difficult to get in Zimbabwe because of greedy individuals who buy it from the mills and take it across the borders, particularly into Mozambique. But Whitehead said the government’s desire for foreign currency is contributing to sugar shortages to an even greater extent. He said sugar is being exported to raise the crucial forex needed to service debts and buy fuel and maize.

The Herald also reported that Robert Mugabe is determined to see agricultural production revived again and is enjoying a measure of success in his own farming ventures. Whitehead dismissed this as a joke. He said white farmers are still under enormous pressure to leave from the so-called A2 settlers who were given land on commercial properties by the government. And Mugabe has done nothing to stop this illegal interference with agriculture. As for Mugabe’s success Whitehead said he cannot be compared to ordinary farmers because he is first in line for all the resources he needs. He said Mugabe has all the government’s resources at his disposal. But despite this obvious advantage, the acting head of the GMB, ex-military official Samuel Muvuti praised the Mugabe family. The Herald quoted him saying: "They are actually models and this should compel other farmers to take farming seriously.” There was laughter at this point and Whitehead felt no further comment was necessary.