example, in two Midlands constituencies won by the MDC during the March 2008 general elections, no farmers have benefited from the Champion Farmer Program, even though many qualified. In a case in Mashonaland East province, local ZANU-PF officials threatened an official of the Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX)—an Agriculture Ministry department responsible for distributing food and fuel—accusing them of being pro-MDC after distributing inputs to all qualified local farmers whatever their political leaning.34 Agriculturalists told Human Rights Watch that the selling of seed on the black market has also affected seed production capacity. As one expert put it: Inputs imported from outside end up in the hands of the politically well connected that don’t put them to good use but sell them on the black market. Seed is now unavailable and farmers can’t plant.35 Agriculturists and economists say that there has been gross misuse of RBZ funds marked for agricultural production. Human Rights Watch did not find first-hand evidence of this, but 20 small-scale farmers36 in Mashonaland East, Masvingo, and Midlands provinces reported that the RBZ had diverted subsidized maize seed, fuel, and cheap tractors meant for the Champion Farmer Program to local ZANU-PF officials and governors who then sold them on the black market at high prices. It is unclear how many farmers have benefited from the Champion Farmer Program or related programs and how much the RBZ has actually spent. Zimbabwean officials seldom release figures of RBZ spending on programs. Local farmers and a senior employee from the state-run Grain Marketing Board informed Human Rights Watch that the GMB has also been involved in corruption. GMB managers appointed by ZANU-PF illegally secure maize from the GMB and sell it on the black market. Some local ZANU-PF officials prevent traders and private persons from moving and selling maize to people at competitive prices.37 For example, farmers in Mashonaland East told Human Rights Watch that a ZANU-PF official and former military officer was preventing local businessmen from selling maize locally so that he could sell his own maize, at higher prices, 34 Human Rights Watch interview with farmer who witnessed the incident, Mashonaland East, November 23, 2008. 35 Human Rights Watch interview with agriculturalist, Harare, November 20, 2008. 36 Human Rights Watch interviews with farmers in Mashonaland East and Midlands, November 26-30, 2008. 37 The GMB recently removed its eight-year monopoly on the importation and exportation of maize. According to agricultural experts, the government’s monopoly has had an adverse effect on maize production in the country. Crisis without Limits 16