The ManicaPost
Ishmael Tagurenyika and Admire Masuku
The Covid-19 pandemic is a wake-up call for farmers as it has brought to the fore the importance of insuring crops against natural disasters.
Most farmers’ produce is rotting in their fields or storage sheds as their markets are unable to absorb the usual quantities due to the closure of international borders.
Farmers have had to learn the hard way.
Crop insurance is a risk management tool that protects farmers in times of low production so that they are able to meet their financial obligations and safeguard the agricultural sector.
Following the lockdown, farmers initially found it difficult to get to their respective markets. But when President Emerson Mnangagwa highlighted the importance of ensuring that the wheels of the economy keep turning during the lockdown, farmers continued with their work and they have been supplying the local markets.
However, some farmers in Chimanimani are singing the blues due to the limited markets.
Jelousy Pusa, a horticulture farmer at Mutambara Irrigation scheme, had a hectare under tomatoes.
He said the first five days of the lockdown were disastrous.
“I lost tonnes of tomatoes due to a depressed market. My biggest market is in Mutare and Marondera. I am not sure if I will ever recoup the money l invested into this crop. I had used about US$1200 for inputs,” he said.
“I was expecting 30 tonnes of tomatoes and l would have sold them at an average price of $10 per kg,” Pusa said.
A youthful farmer, Daisy Gumangei, has one and half hectares under vegetables. The crops are ready for the market but she is no longer sure she will get her targeted profits.
“I took a US$900 loan for the inputs. I don’t know how I am going to pay back the loan.
“We are appealing to the financiers of the Command Agriculture scheme to help us,” Gumangei said.
Ben Dhlamini, a horticulturist, is a devastated man.
“During the lockdown my clients have not been coming to collect my produce and it is now decaying in the field.
“On the other hand, unripe crops are being affected by diseases as our local agro-shops are closed,” said Dhlamini.
Last year, many farmers in Chimanimani and Chipinge lost their crops and livestock when Cyclone Idai left a trail of destruction in the districts.
Agriculture Extension Officer Mr Nisbert Chabata encouraged farmers to insure their crops and livestock.
“Farming is a risky business. These disasters are unpredictable. Farmers must insure their crops and livestock so that they can be compensated in the event of a disaster.”
He also urged farmers to work together through associations and trade unions that represent farmers.
“We encourage farmers to work in groups because individualism is very dangerous. They should organise themselves and form cooperatives that represents them in times of crises,”Chabata said.
According to Chabata, more than 50 farmers at Mutambara Irrigation Scheme have been affected.
“We have farmers whose crops are now ripe. They are being affected by shortage of markets. Some have crops that now require chemicals but they have nowhere to buy these from,” he said.
Some agro-chemical retail shops in rural areas are closed while the ones operating are taking advantage of the situation to charge high prices for the agro-chemicals.
According to an agronomist, Richman Majoni, farmers are still facing challenges despite the re-opening of markets since their movements are limited.
Chimanimani Ward 4 Councillor Tendai Chikosha highlighted that farming is a source of income for most rural communities in Zimbabwe.
“Our lives depend on farming. It is our only source of income and such occurrences will definitely leave a dent on the farming communities,” said Counillor Chikosha.
He also challenged Government to assist rural farmers to establish other enterprises.
Last week, vegetable markets in Mutare were decentralised from Sakubva Market to residential areas as authorities seek to find ways of discouraging farmers, vegetable vendors and their clients from converging at the overcrowded Sakubva Market.
In Chimanimani, Copper, Machongwe, Chimanimani Village, Biriri, Nhedziwa, Wengezi, Chakohwa, Hotsprings and Nyanyadzi were identified as designated market places for farmers and vendors in the district.
The Member of Parliament for Chimanimani West Constituency, Cde Nokuthula Matsikanyere, said the vendors must conduct business on the selected points while maintaining social distance.
She also implored farmers to insure their crops.
“Farmers should insure they crops so that they can be compensated by their insurance companies in times of disasters,” said Cde Matsikanyere.
The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, said Government has put in places measures to ensure that the farming industry is not interrupted.
“We have identified designated marketing places in every district. This is where farmers can deliver their produce. Those who used to deliver in Mutare should continue to do so.
“But their time of business is now limited. Farmers can deliver their produce between 6am and 9am, while vendors are operating from 9am to 12 midday.
“This is being done under the watch of our security service and health personnel to ensure adherence to the stipulated guidelines,” Dr Gwaradzimba said.
She went on to urge farmers to operate within their localities to avoid disease transmission.
The minister challenged vendors to take responsibility of their own health.
“Why does it look like some people are more worried about law enforcement agents than Covid-19? Everyone has an obligation to play their part in this fight against the virus. Let us adhere to all the regulations,” said the minister.
