By Netho Francisco

THERE is no reason to experience another food deficit in the country considering the favourable farming environment brought about by ZANU PF victory in the harmonised elections and subsequent formation of a Government ready to support the farmer.
With adequate rains, major stakeholders in the agricultural sector said they are ready to deliver a bumper harvest in the 2013–2014 farming season as other mechanisms to ensure success have been put in place by Government and the private sector.
The assurance comes against attempts by former white commercial farmers to revive the imperialist agenda and discredit the successful Land Reform Programme.
The white farmers continue to spread falsehoods giving the impression that agriculture in Zimbabwe has failed and only them can revive it and guarantee food security.
Some sectors of the private media which sympathise with the former white farmers are publishing misleading reports that the country will experience massive food shortage next year basing their arguments on Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee’s report that stated that about 2, 2 million people will require food assistance between January and March 2014.
Agricultural giants have dismissed claims of food shortfalls as unrealistic saying the country has great potential of achieving good yields next year.
One of the country’s leading seed producers, Seed Co managing director Dennis Zaranyika said his organisation was committed to ensure the availability of seed during the preparations for the 2013-2014 farming season.
He said Zimbabwe has abundant land that will guarantee a bumper harvest if all the necessities, including rains, are availed in time.
“We are working very hard to ensure that farmers get seeds in time during this farming season to avoid late planting of crops,” said Zaranyika.
“There is no reason for food deficit in the country, only the rain can affect our food security.
“There is also need for collective efforts between farmers and the meteorological department to be able to manage the growth of crops during and after the planting period.”
Zimbabwe Farmers Union president Silas Hungwe said farmers were devoted to increase their hectarage to boost availability of food in the country.
“As farmers we have agreed that we must work hard to ensure that Zimbabwe retains its bread basket status during the 2013–2014 farming season,” he said.
However, Hungwe expressed the need for Government to find ways of reducing the price of seeds so that they become affordable to all farmers.
“Seed prices are high, a situation that should be addressed urgently to enable farmers to acquire inputs during the expected time,” he said.
Agriculture, Mechanisation, and Irrigation Development Minister, Dr Joseph Made said smallholder farmers were central in producing grain and horticulture crops in the country.
He said the Government will assist small-scale farmers with inputs to ensure that they achieve favourable yields.
“The Government will assist farmers with seeds and fertilisers and the inputs will be distributed at ward level to ensure that they reach farmers,” said Dr Made.
“The assistance will ensure food security to many households and the country as a whole.”
The basic input package will comprise 10 kilogrammes maize/small grain seed, 50kg compound D fertiliser, 50kg ammonium nitrate fertiliser and 50kg lime to improve the quality of the soil.
Meteorological Services Department head of external relations office Elliot Bungare said the country was expected to receive good rainfall.
“The seasonal forecast has been issued for the region and indications are that there is going to be normal to above normal rainfall, which means we are going to have a good rain season,” he said.
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in partnership with the Meteorological Services Department recently launched a new product called ‘EcoFarmer’ that has a weather index which provides weather information to smallholder farmers.
The service is expected to significantly boost production through efficient management of crops.
Government has so far availed a US$161 million package for the 2013-2014 summer cropping season.