News / National
Agric ministers accused of sabotage
15 May 2012 at 06:31hrs | Views
Three cabinet ministers including Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister, Dr Joseph Made have come under fire from farmers, who say they should be accountable for sabotaging wheat production and the whole agricultural sector.
With Tuesday the 15th of May being the deadline for wheat planting, the bulk of farmers who used to grow the cereal crop at a large scale have not yet planted as the US$20 million inputs scheme launched by government has largely remained a pipe dream.
Farmer's representatives in Beatrice, Cde Edson Makina accused Dr Made, Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Energy and Power Development Minister, Mr Elton Mangoma of lying to the nation by giving empty promises regarding supporting wheat production.
"We used to get support on time but even our long agriculture serving minister is now letting the country down. Minister Made and Biti have let down the country, its high time President Mugabe take action before it is too late," said Cde Makina.
Another farmer representative in Nyabira, Cde Andy Mhlanga described the failure to release wheat inputs as tantamount to sabotaging the land reform programme on the part of government ministers.
"Made and Biti should come out clear to the farmers as we now feel that they are lying to the President, pretending to be supporting agriculture to save their jobs. Farmers have lost faith in the two ministers, and it is high time action be taken to save the nation," said Cde Mhlanga.
The country requires about 450 000 tonnes of wheat per annum.
However, the situation on the ground shows that this winter wheat season will be the worst in the country's history with only a handful of farmers having planted.
Over a month ago, government availed a US$20 million facility for winter wheat farmers.
However, farmers have not accessed the facility up to now.
With Tuesday the 15th of May being the deadline for wheat planting, the bulk of farmers who used to grow the cereal crop at a large scale have not yet planted as the US$20 million inputs scheme launched by government has largely remained a pipe dream.
Farmer's representatives in Beatrice, Cde Edson Makina accused Dr Made, Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Energy and Power Development Minister, Mr Elton Mangoma of lying to the nation by giving empty promises regarding supporting wheat production.
"We used to get support on time but even our long agriculture serving minister is now letting the country down. Minister Made and Biti have let down the country, its high time President Mugabe take action before it is too late," said Cde Makina.
Another farmer representative in Nyabira, Cde Andy Mhlanga described the failure to release wheat inputs as tantamount to sabotaging the land reform programme on the part of government ministers.
"Made and Biti should come out clear to the farmers as we now feel that they are lying to the President, pretending to be supporting agriculture to save their jobs. Farmers have lost faith in the two ministers, and it is high time action be taken to save the nation," said Cde Mhlanga.
The country requires about 450 000 tonnes of wheat per annum.
However, the situation on the ground shows that this winter wheat season will be the worst in the country's history with only a handful of farmers having planted.
Over a month ago, government availed a US$20 million facility for winter wheat farmers.
However, farmers have not accessed the facility up to now.
Source - zbc
