Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has called on farmers to register on the electronic inputs (e-inputs) distribution platform as the allotment of inputs for the 2024/2025 farming season commences.
The new e-inputs distribution system is meant to eliminate fraud, double allocation, and abuse of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs by beneficiaries and agricultural extension officers (AEOs).
The system tracks inputs dispatched by the Government to Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots up to the farmers at ward level.
It also has a database of all farmers at national, provincial, district and ward level. In an interview on the sidelines of the recently held Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the platform is in line with the Government’s thrust to use technology to improve efficiency in their systems.
“The e-inputs distribution platform is key to this particular season; all farmers must be registered in our database, that is how they will obtain an e-signature to be able to access inputs,” said Prof Jiri.
“That will reduce abuse and pilferage by those that are not intended to receive inputs.”
According to the 2024/2025 summer crop plan presented to Cabinet recently, the Government targets to increase the production of cereals by 340 percent, with 3,5 million households set to benefit from the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
The target is to have a minimum of 400 000 hectares under the scheme.
Prof Jiri said they are expecting to see an increase in registration by farmers since the rainy season has started.
“Out of the 3,5 million beneficiaries that we target and that we ordinarily assist, we have registered 2,1 million who have come forth to register,” he said.
“The response has been overwhelming and we expect that our database will be completed once we also complete the distribution process.”
As farmers remain optimistic about this year’s farming season, the Government has started the distribution of inputs.
According to the 29th Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum held in Harare last week, Zimbabwe and most countries in the region are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall during the forthcoming season.
The latest regional forecast tallies with predictions by the World Meteorological Organisation and other global weather bureaus, which earlier projected that a La Niña weather event was forming in the Pacific Ocean, something that could increase chances of wetter conditions in Zimbabwe and other countries in Southern Africa during the 2024/2025 cropping season.
The latest projections bring hope to Zimbabwe and most countries in the region that are grappling with a prolonged dry spell due to the El Niño phenomenon experienced last season.
The El Niño weather pattern has affected agricultural production and other key sectors such as tourism, industry, and power generation. — @SikhulekelaniM1
Online Reporter