When undertaken efficiently and properly, commercial farming is a quick yielding endeavour from which positive results can be achieved, even in the first season of tilling virgin land.This has been proved by the successes of former Zimbabwean commercial farmers who took refuge in various African countries following the seizure of their properties under the disastrously implemented land reform programme.
In the space of a few years, these experienced farmers have transformed countries such as Malawi and Zambia, which used to import maize from Zimbabwe. They are now exporters of the crop.
Farther afield, success stories have been reported in Nigeria where displaced Zimbabwean farmers have transformed swathes of virgin bush into green belts. Their expertise and hard work has helped to enhance that countrys food security, thus raising the living standards of ordinary Nigerians.
These successes have led observers to comment on how Zimbabwes loss has quickly become the gain of other nations.
In contrast, eight years after the seizures of land from white farmers began in Zimbabwe, the new farmers who have been allocated farms under the land redistribution programme are yet to record a single successful cropping season.
Food insecurity has worsened, and the number of Zimbabweans facing starvation and needing food aid has increased every year.
The reasons for this dismal state of affairs are well documented. They include the very simple fact that swathes of fertile land allocated to cronies, relatives and associates under the Zanu (PF) patronage umbrella continue to lie fallow. The occupiers of this land have neither the aptitude for farming nor the inclination for the hard work necessary to make the endeavour a success.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who allocated almost US$56 million to the agricultural sector in the national budget he presented a week ago, has his heart in the right place.
However, the question still needs to be asked whether his valiant effort can make any difference as long as the underlying problems are not tackled.
These include the disruptions caused by continuing farm invasions and the issuing of offer letters to the influential and well-connected to displace not only white commercial farmers but fellow indigenous Zimbabweans.
Unless these problems, as well as the abuse of government-funded inputs such as seed, fertiliser, and fuel, are addressed, the allocation set aside for the revival of agriculture will be money down the drain.
WORD FOR THE DAY:
Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous. (Psalm 37:16-17)
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga