Update from Zimbabwe

A letter from a Zimbabwean Scholar gives us this news of how he is coping.

So far he has been allowed to stay on his farm although sharing it with 147 other uninvited families we still manage to farm after a fashion.  .  Inflation is officially at 625% but in reality is far higher, more like over 1000%.  One litre of petrol or diesel is $3400.  At the beginning of the year the producer price of milk was $110 per litre, today it is $1350 per litre.  When we sell cattle on the open market we now talk in millions.  The pound sterling is trading at 10,000 to $1!!! 

It is still difficult to get certain basic foodstuffs   there is still very little fuel, again at a totally absurd price when it is available.  This of course has pushed up the price of transport incredibly.  Most people walk to work every day.  There are very few commercial farmers left living on the land.  Those of us who are find it extremely difficult to farm, not only because of disruptions caused by the invaders, but also because inputs are so incredibly high, the rainy season has been less than promising, and there is horrendous theft which has come about because of a ruinous economy.  Nevertheless we are still on the farm, still trying to farm and still trying to keep our heads just above water.

We have had to reduce our beef herd drastically, not only because of the theft and slaughter of our cattle, but because we dont have the pastures available any longer on which to feed them, as these paddocks are occupied.  We herd the cattle during the day and kraal them, guarded, at night.  Our biggest enterprise at present is probably our dairy herd.  We are also growing some paprika which has been doing well despite the shortage of meaningful rain.  If the rainy season does not start soon several of our friends will have to sell all their cattle and close up. 

Our best wishes to Scholars everywhere for 2004 we here are definitely hoping for a better year!

 

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