Published: 24 January 2014

Government is drafting a Statutory Instrument (SI) to guide contract farming and encourages farmers to switch to the arrangement.

Farmers are in a dilemma due to lack of funding.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for Cropping Davis Marapira said government was in the process of drafting the SI.

"With the current situation we encourage farmers who are not able to finance themselves to go into contract farming. It is disturbing that some farmers were resettled on prime land but are failing to utilise it due to financial challenges.

"Contract farming is the only way to go. Farmers are stressed as they struggle to access inputs and establish markets for their produce.

"Under contract farming, the farmer is guaranteed of inputs and market," he said.

Marapira said the absence of a government policy on contract farming  was disadvantaging farmers and contractors.

"Contract farming does not mean land will be returned to the whites. Government allows farmers to get into contracts not leasing land to the former owners. We want proper partnerships that benefit farmers.

"We allow public-private-partnerships between farmers and parastatals," he said.

He urged farmers entering into contract farming to approach the ministry for assistance before signing the contracts.
- chronicle

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