Radio Dialogue Giving you a voice
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) has questioned government’s sincerity with regard to the programme of rehabilitation and construction of new productive irrigation schemes in the drought prone region of Matabeleland.
ZFU first vice President Abdul Nyathi said government ministers have generated a “seasonal habit” of talking about irrigation schemes towards every farming season without putting in place practical initiatives.
“Its now 33 years from independence, since 1980 they are still talking about this (irrigation rehabilitation) but nothing is happening. As farmers we want them to talk the truth not this talk show,” said Nyathi. “Whoever is responsible should know that this tactic of talk show does not help the people.”
Nyathi accused government of turning a blind eye to the region’s drought problems due to perennial insignificant rains.
The vice president also laid blame on the inclusive government saying it has done nothing for the past three years to attend to irrigation schemes that are dysfunctional.
He said everyone across political divide have intimate knowledge concerning drought experiences troubling Matabeleland region.
Agriculture deputy minister Seiso Moyo is on record saying government is in the process of rehabilitating irrigation schemes to compensate for poor rains. The vice president said his union has lost hope in government and is mobilising funds to assist its members.
