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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
MORE than 6 000 households have received seed maize in Matabeleland South Province under the Presidential Inputs Scheme for the 2013-14 farming season, the provincial Grain Marketing Board (GMB) manager Mr Tavonga Makuvara said.Speaking during a Matabeleland South Provincial Drought Relief Committee meeting in Gwanda Town yesterday, Mr Makuvara said the province had received 391,71 tonnes of seed maize and 450 tonnes of Compound D fertiliser.
“We have dispatched all the inputs that we received and every truck going out is escorted by the police. Out of the 391,71 tonnes of seed maize, 63,83 tonnes has been dispatched and so far 6 383 households have benefited. Matobo District has the highest number of beneficiaries standing at 4 726.
“Of the 450 tonnes of Compound D, 81,5 tonnes have been dispatched and 4 298 households have benefited and the highest number of beneficiaries are in Matobo District with 3 439. We have not yet received any ammonium nitrate,” he said.
The provincial agronomist, Mr Innocent Nyathi, said Beitbridge was one of the first districts to receive inputs. The drought committee said the delay in the distribution of the inputs to farmers in some areas was an issue of concern as farmers are supposed to take advantage of early rains.
Recently, the Meteorological Department of Zimbabwe advised farmers in the province to ensure that they take advantage of the first rains by planting early.
Matabeleland South provincial administrator Mr Midard Khumalo said there was a need to speed up the inputs distribution.
“We are also aware of the slow pace of the deliveries. We have to move really fast. We need to speed up the process,” he said.
In Matobo District, there were reports of transporters who refused to go beyond Maphisa Growth Point.
Mr Khumalo said the problem had been solved.
“We would like to thank the Zimbabwe Republic Police for the immense support,” he said.
Mr Khumalo said all identified beneficiaries should be given the inputs regardless of one’s political affiliation.
“The intervention is meant for everyone,” he said.
Online Reporter