Small-scale women farmers have appealed to the government for financial assistance, arguing that they are failing to secure funding from financial institutions to grow their cattle herds due to lack of collateral.
In an interview with Southern Eye Business during a livestock conference held in Bulawayo recently, some women farmers complained that funding from financial institutions, including the Women’s Empowerment Bank, comes with strings attached.
One of the farmers, Anele Mnyandu from Esigodini in Matabeleland South, said she started dairy farming in 2023 with only three herd of cattle and has since grown her herd to 11.
“We are facing challenges such as land and water, and we are not getting funding from the government or other financial institutions, who might be thinking that we are a risk to them,” Mnyandu said.
“They tend to consider large-scale farmers, leaving us out in the cold.
“We are dedicated to feeding the nation, but we feel the government must also consider us financially.
Keep Reading
- Building narratives: Charlestone School choir nominated for regional award
- Wedza North MP’s days ‘numbered’
- AMH investor forum to explore Zim opportunities
- How Uganda outsources violence to stay in power
“We are having a challenge trying to come out of this risk zone so that we can access financial assistance, considering that the funding has some strings attached to it.”
She noted that since they come from Matabeleland South, a region where rains are erratic, they need assistance with funding for drilling boreholes to help grow their herds.
Mnyandu indicated that challenges also lie in growing fodder and storing silage for feeding purposes, which requires significant inputs.
“We get a lot of training programmes, but what do you do with knowledge without resources?,” she asked.
“Most women small-scale farmers face a lot of challenges in accessing funding from banks because they demand collateral, yet the farmers are living from hand to mouth and do not have collateral.
“Instead of spending a lot of foreign currency to import milk, I suggest that the government should use the same funds to help dairy farmers grow their herds in order to curb the milk shortage in the country.”
Another woman farmer, Irene Maphenduka from Nyamandlovu, said they were facing challenges with stock theft.
“We would like the police to assist us in the fight against stock theft, while the government should also chip in to resolve the issue of boundaries for farmers,” Maphenduka said.