THE Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU) in collaboration with the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) has partnered with a seed company Klein Karoo Seed Marketing to provide inputs for farmers on a credit facility.
Staff Reporter
In a bid to address the funding challenges which have greatly affected most small scale farmers, the union sought out a funding partner that would readily provide inputs on credit.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch for the handover of seed to the ACCZ, the president for ZCFU Wonder Chabikwa said the scheme would require the farmers to pay 50% before they could be given their inputs and the other half after harvesting.
“We have confidence in this scheme because we have carefully looked at all angles and will thoroughly vet beneficiaries so that we do not encounter problems,” he said.
His remarks follow in the wake of a botched input scheme which sucked in Zanu PF youth leaders and left thousands of farmers stranded after they failed to get inputs as promised.
“We do not foresee any problems with this seed company and farmers need not worry because we will not handle their cash it goes straight into the account of Klein Karoo. There is no thieving,” he said.
The country sales and marketing agronomist for the company which is fairly new, Beauty Magiya said they would deliver as promised.
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“Our product has come in handy at this time when the season has been delayed because it is drought resistant and fast maturing,” said Magiya. Magiya also said their product was a short season hybrid which had an advantage over other normal seed.
“Eight bags of the K2 seed with favourable rain should produce about 12 tonnes of maize,” she said.
Explaining their involvement ACCZ president Johannes Ndanga said the church had several farms and the facility would serve them well. A farmer from Banket, Phillip Sithole said he had not hesitated to join the scheme because it involves their union and the church.
“Surely it has to be credible because besides out union representing us there is also the church. How can the men of God lie,” he said grinning mischievously.
