adminLuthando Mapepa Post Correspondent
CHIPINGE District has received its allocation of agricultural inputs for 2014-15 season under the Presidential Agricultural Input Scheme meant to boost productivity in the district.The development was revealed at a distribution committee meeting held at Chipinge Government Complex last Friday which was attended by various stakeholders such as traditional chiefs, farmers and Government department representatives.
Farmers set to benefit include communal farmers, old resettled farmers and A1 farmers.
The allocations of in-puts which the district received are 1 552 tonnes Ammonium Nitrate, 1 800 tonnes Compound D, 458 tonnes seed maize and 10 tonnes sorghum. It was also revealed that each beneficiary would receive 10kgs seed maize.
This year’s distribution would be done at ward level with no costs involved unlike in the past where transporters would cash in transporting the inputs to farmers’ homes.
Sorghum seed is set to benefit farmers in drought prone areas of the district.
Representing the District Adminstrator, Mr Mavhiza, urged the beneficiaries to fully utilise the inputs to improve food security. Mr Mavhiza said his office was working together with grassroots structures to ensure that there is no abuse of the inputs.
“Government will work with all stakeholders involved to make sure that these inputs will benefit the intended beneficiaries. We are all aware of some beneficiaries who are in the habit of selling these inputs and we are urging them to stop.
“No money will be required from farmers because Government will be distributing the inputs at ward centres at no cost.
“All inputs will be distributed through Grain Marketing Board and will be distributed by local committees through supervision of Local Government structures,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Chief Musikavanhu, appreciated Government’s gesture of assisting farmers with inputs because some of the farmers in resettlement areas were having difficulties in purchasing them.
“We are grateful for this assistance from President Mugabe. Our areas are ravaged by drought every year and I hope these inputs will go a long way in mitigating hunger, if we use them wisely,” he said.
Online Reporter