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Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: Mugabe's agriculture minister attacks black farmers

By Regerai Marwezu

MASVINGO - Zimbabwe's agriculture minister Rugare Gumbo on Thursday launched a scathing attack on newly resettled black farmers saying they had dismally failed to produce enough food for the nation.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe Farmers' Union (ZFU) national congress in Masvingo, Gumbo said the newly resettled black farmers had let the nation down after they failed to maintain production on former white-owned farms.

"I am disappointed that our new farmers have proved to be failures since the start of the land reform programme in 2000. In spite of all the support government has been pouring into the agricultural sector, productivity and under-utilisation of land remain issues of concern.

"I urge you to continue working hard so that the importation of food will become history," said Gumbo.

Zimbabwe has faced severe shortages of food since 2000 when President Robert Mugabe sanctioned the violent seizure of white farms for redistribution to landless blacks.

The disturbances on the white farms that produced the bulk of the country's food needs resulted in a quarter of Zimbabwe's 12 million population requiring food handouts from international food agencies.

Mugabe however denies that his land reforms caused hunger blaming the food crisis on natural causes.

Critics say the Harare authorities, also battling an unprecedented economic crisis that has seen inflation zoom past 6 000 percent, failed to fully support newly resettled black farmers resulting in a massive drop in production.

Gumbo had no kind words to the largely black-dominated ZFU accusing the farmers of gross incompetence.

"I am painfully aware of the widespread theft of stock, farm produce, irrigation equipment and the general vandalism of infrastructure by our new farmers.

"The issue of Makorokoza or gold panners and other farmers who not only damage our environment but infrastructure like irrigation equipment and siltation of our rivers should be addressed quickly if we are to realise the full benefits of the land reform programme," said Gumbo.

Zimbabwe, which was once regarded as the breadbasket of southern Africa, is a pale shadow of its former self after the chaotic land reforms seven years ago. Hundreds of former productive white are lying fallow after the new black farmers failed to utilize the new properties.