I predicted that this would happen, the commercial farmers are being asked to come back, but this time they are in a position to dictate terms. So much for revolution.

_______________________________________

Former farmers set conditions for return
Augustine Mukaro

DISPLACED commercial farmers are demanding a restoration of the rule of law and removal of price controls as part of their conditions before they can accept Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono’s call for them to return to their farms.

In his monetary policy statement last week Gono said due to the highly specialised nature of modern farming there was need to promote ventures between new farmers and former operators.

“There is great scope in the country promoting and supporting ventures between new farmers with progressive-minded former operators of horticulture estates, as well as other new investors, so as to hasten the skills transfer cycle,” Gono said.

Justice for Agriculture (JAG), a splinter group from the Commercial Farmers Union, this week said farmers want government to first ensure that an investment-friendly environment prevails before they could consider going back to their farms.

“Farmers are demanding the return of the rule of law, respect for property rights, security of tenure, uncontrolled markets and financial incentives as prerequisites for coming back to the farms,” JAG chairman John Worswick said.

Specialised groups targeted for return to the land include dairy farmers, conservancy owners, beef cattle farmers, as well as pig and poultry producers.

Under this arrangement, the new investors or skilled former operators would be given a special dispensation and guarantees of uninterrupted productive tenure of between five and 10 years, backed by a resolute fight against any disruptions on the farms by the relevant arms of government.

JAG said government had intensified its overtures with more than a dozen farmers being approached.

“Government emissaries have approached a number of farmers in Mashonaland East and West provinces,” Worswick said. “Mash East governor Ray Kaukonde led the team to some farmers in the province.”

There used to be 156 dairy farms in Mashonaland East before the land reform programme began but only 10 remain.

“In Mash West, government approached farmers around Biri Dam in the Banket area,” he said.

The province used to produce the bulk of the country’s wheat and maize.

Death knell for indigenisation tolls
Flea market traders face bleak future

Morris to quiz Mugabe over food aid

Harare home-seekers face billion-dollar losses

Midzi to testify in Moyo suit

Former SA minister at Quoted Companies launch

No automatic extradition for Mann

Govt policy to blame for food crisis

Court reserves verdict in Bennett case

Former farmers set conditions for return

Rural households out of food