COVID-19 Lockdown [Some Relief for farmers - Markets re-opened but still inadequate]

Anna Muchenje (42), a mother of 4 and smallholder farmer from Mt Darwin district being helped by family and neighbours in harvesting. Anna works with PELUM Zimbabwe Member Farmers Association of Community Self-Help Investment Groups (FACHIG). She installed a tip tap container with soapy water for people helping her harvest to wash their hands. She is now able to harvest her produce and take it to the market since the relaxation of restrictions on the agriculture sector. Photo: FACHIG

Zimbabwe is presently on its second lock down extension. The lock down which started on 30 March 2020 and was initially meant to last only 21 days will now last 49 days (ending 17 May 2020). However, if cases continue rising there is a high likelihood for yet another extension.

The initial lockdown measures were very stringent to such an extent that farmers could not leave their homesteads to go to work in their fields, let alone engage in any marketing endeavours. However, as government heeded to the cries of the agriculture sector, some measures began to be relaxed and now farmers are harvesting and able to market their produce.

Local markets were initially shut down but are now functional from morning until afternoon (half day). Farmers are allowed to deliver their produce but transport still remains a challenge since commuter omnibuses are still not operating. Farmers have to rely on public buses sanctioned by government to transport their produce, however, these buses do not service all areas. Some farmers are using scotch carts to transport their produce.

Although we commend the government for heeding to the cries of farmers, measures in place to support them are still inadequate. Public transport is still not operational. Very few consumers are able to travel to the market places and purchase produce. In addition to fewer buyers, the markets are only open for a short period hence farmers are incurring losses of their perishables such as vegetables which they are forced to return home with or sell at reduced prices.

Farmers have already incurred terrible losses during the initial lock down period where their produce was rotting in the field. Now they are forced to give it away at low prices, Farmers therefore have no hope of recovering their losses, much less make a profit.

What we need is a transformation in the agriculture system. We need to put in place a more sustainable system. This system needs to be economically viable, ecologically sound and socially acceptable. Agroecology address these three pillars and offers a practical pathway to transitioning.

We urge government to review the structure and functioning of markets. Markets should be decentralised. Short supply chains need to be adopted. This will ensure reduced impact of future epidemics and pandemics on local food systems and supply and therefore guarantee better sustainability.