‘Three million Zimbabweans short of food’- Tsvangirai

By Tichaona Sibanda
21 November 2006

MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai said on Tuesday that corruption and bad planning will see another failed agricultural season, following a systematic destruction of the sector that has led to a sustained economic meltdown.

He said as a result of that an estimated three million people are short of food today because ‘a disastrous beginning always ends in a national failure.’ As the country prepares for another farming season with uncertainty over food security needs, the MDC leader reiterated that despite promises of a good rainy season, there are indications the season will be a disaster because of continued bungling by government.

‘What we are witnessing is classic case of bungling; inadequate or fake seed, sub-standard fertilizer, heavily subsidized fuel which is being diverted to the black market and shoddy preparations for the industry’s revival. A false start always leads to another disaster,’ said Tsvangirai in a statement.

The party’s secretary for Lands and Agriculture Seiso Moyo, one of the principal architects of the policy document, warned that the number of people needing food aid is likely to rise as farmers will struggle to meet the traditional production targets.

Since Zanu (PF) started its controversial land reform programme six years ago, the agriculture sector has virtually collapsed.

According to Tsvangirai, the country’s plight has been worsened by expensive food imports and serious shrinkages in the basket of basic commodities. He said; ‘Every family is at risk because of seven years of continuous disruptions in commercial agriculture and a deliberate onslaught on property rights.’

He added that the meddling influence of the Mugabe regime in input procurement and disbursement, farm management and crop and livestock production dynamics is a perfect route towards a perennial state of food insecurity in Zimbabwe.

‘History is replete with examples of failed experiments with agriculture when partisan interest groups, especially the military and a political party militia, are pushed – out of political expediency -- into a sector they know nothing about and are expected to produce food for the nation. Their reluctance to stay on the ground and their lack of farming expertise lead to corruption, crop failures and drain the little currency available, through food imports,’ Tsvangirai said.

He also pointed out that communal farmers, for many years a shining example of maize producers, have been abandoned and that Zanu PF has created a new community with no known interest or knowledge of agriculture.

‘This group perpetually looks to the state for their loot, rewards and accolades, unlike the communal farmers whose track record – even under arid conditions – is beyond debate. Many of our rural areas are impassable due to poor roads; the communal farmers lack essential support and inputs; the state of our communal lands resemble a nation at war, their service centres are now empty shells totally unable to support any meaningful economic activity in the rural areas.’