Story by Bruce Chahwanda
Farmer’s representative organisations have welcomed the summer cropping season pre-planting producer prices announced by the government this Wednesday saying better prospects lie ahead for farmers.
This comes at a time government has been subsidising farmers under various schemes, including the Presidential Free Inputs scheme among others.
Zimbabwe Farmer’s Union Secretary General, Mr Paul Zakaria says the new producer prices will go a long way in helping farmers to make critical decisions.
“We welcome the pre-planting producer prices though they should have come prior to planting to ensure farmers make decisions on which crops should have more hectarage. We are happy with the prices considering that they will be reviewed later on,” he said.
The former Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe National Farmers Union, Mr Edward Dune said the maize producer price gives farmers an opportunity to offset costs.
“We are happy with the prices announced across all critical crops and this will give farmers a chance to recover their expenses throughout the season,” he said.
Prospects for a better summer cropping season are high after three million households were incorporated into the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme.
