Zimbabwe: Prepare for The Season

Source from:  AllAfrica.com 10/12/2010

Harare - Zimbabwe is once again entering the 2010/11 farming season with promise that the situation could significantly improve and take the country back to its place as the region's breadbasket after an embarrassing downward trajectory that thrust it into a basket case. The country hit its lowest point in terms of output in the 2008 season when less than 500â-à000 metric tonnes of maize was harvested. But last year's season demonstrated the effect of a viable pricing regime as well as well-considered support to a new breed of indigenous farmers when production more than doubled in 2009 and 2010, to 1,27 and 1,35 million tonnes respectively. Tobacco output, which had equally sunk to record lows, rebounded last year to an all-time high of 119 million kilogrammes, double the previous year's output. Tobacco yield had plunged from a peak of 236 million kg in 2000 to 48 million kg in the 2007/08 season, triggered by the collapse of the agricultural sector following agrarian reforms that turned violent and plunged the country into its worst economic crisis in history. Yet, wheat production declined to its lowest ever output level of 10â-à000 tonnes this year due to lack of funding as well as a host of other factors including sector instability and unreliable power supplies. Wheat output was at 15â-à000 tonnes last year. Wheat is Zimbabwe's second staple grain after maize. Annual wheat consumption requirements are at between 400â-à000 and 450â-à000 tonnes. The country used to produce in the region of 250â-à000-300â-à000 tonnes of wheat per year, with a small deficit that was largely supplemented with imports. Understandably, things have to improve and more still needs to be done to support a recovery of the agricultural sector and avert starvation while at the same time earning foreign currency to help boost liquidity in the country, which dollarised its economy last year. The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), both of which are United Nations agencies, reported in August that food security in the country had significantly improved following government efforts and international support to the tune of US$70 million provided to farmers through subsidised inputs. The two agencies' mission in June found that the area planted under maize, the main staple, had increased by 20 percent in the last season to the highest level in 30 years and production rose seven percent over the previous year. But there remains a dire need for agricultural and food assistance next year for some 1,68 million people, the UN agencies noted, saying the vulnerable groups consisted of low-income families or those with little or no access to the United States dollar or the South African rand. The country has only 1,66 million tonnes of cereals available against a total needs forecast of 2,09 million tonnes in the 2010/11 (April/March) marketing year, the WFP and FAO suggest. That leaves a 428â-à000-tonne shortfall. Part of this will, inevitably, have to be covered by commercial imports, projected to total 317â-à000 tonnes of cereals, including 200â-à000 tonnes of maize. While there are factors beyond the control of both farmers and government in making the agricultural season a success, it is important to note that domestic farming has been weighed down considerably by clumsiness in the way government has prepared farmers for the farming season, inexperience as well as speculative tendencies on the part of some or the country's new farmers. Unreliable power supplies, as well as production constraints among local fertiliser producers, have also been impediments towards ramping up crop production in the country. Fertiliser companies, which have reported an improvement in the operating environment, have had to contend with electricity and water shortages. The staple maize crop has previously suffered from an acute shortage of fertiliser and seed, with the very few farmers who have in the past years been able to access these inputs often getting supplies late in the season. The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has also been a major barrier to the turnaround of the agricultural sector because of unforgivable delays in paying farmers for grain deliveries. This has made it difficult for farmers to procure inputs in time for the season or to repay bank loans. Attempts by the GMB to redeem its image failed dismally this year: Payments in kind instead of cash for grain deliveries were not helpful as farmers had other commitments that required cash. In fact, the climb-down by the State-owned grain procurer from a higher price announced earlier in the year to a lower price, could act as a disincentive to farmers whose commitment had been to grow the staple maize crop rather than tobacco and other cash crops. It is therefore imperative for government to take into account these factors and quickly mobilise stakeholders so that Zimbabwe can produce a good crop in the coming season and avert imports and hunger. The political cost of ineptitude would be too high. Take, for example, the effect of the rise in wheat prices on the international market that has stoked increases in bread prices locally. This will certainly create inflationary pressures in the economy, and should the country fail to feed itself and rely more on imports, it would increasingly become vulnerable to exogenous factors and might not be able to rein in inflation. Moreover, this will mean taking out of the country the United States dollars desperately needed to improve domestic liquidity because of the country's inability to print the offshore currency. There is every reason for government to take immediate action and mobilise for a good season. Enditem