Timely provision of inputs and fair payment for farmers 5.6. Most rural households rely on agriculture to secure their livelihoods. They spend more than half a year working on the land. 5.7. We appeal to the Government and all those who provide farmers with agricultural inputs to timely distribute them before the rainy season. We are also asking for impartiality in the distribution of the inputs. 5.8. The prices of each farm commodity should be communicated before the farmers make their crop choices for the season. The buying and payment processes should also be communicated in advance to avoid prejudice. 5.9. In situations of contract farming, farmers should be well educated on the contracts they will be signing. This should be supported by Government through a clear regulatory framework that protects smallholder farmers. All clauses of the contracts should be revealed and thoroughly discussed in a language understood by both the contractors and contracted. Hiding some of the contract clauses and revealing them to the farmers during the selling season contradicts what the bible teaches us: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4:25) Sincere and practical implementation of relevant policies 5.10. Policy makers and implementers should move from rhetoric to practical action by financing and implementing existing policies and fulfill ratified regional and international covenants to protect the environment and improve food security. Good policies on paper are not useful if they are not transformed into reality. Policies become a reality through frank and open dialogue, political will, innovation and sufficient financing. 5.11. We urge Government to increase agriculture investment and spending in line with the 2003 CAADP Maputo Declaration, particularly targeting the smallholder farmers. 5.12. Extension Support needs to be enhanced so that the rural poor cope, adapt and manage climate risk in order to prevent hunger and poverty. 5.13. In line with ZIMASSET, we urge Government to invest more in improved