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Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
A NUMBER of farmers and irrigation schemes in the southern parts of the country are still to receive inputs under the Government’s Command Agriculture Programme, although some areas have received the inputs, signalling the start of the programme.
A survey by Sunday Business in provinces in the southern part of the country revealed some areas are still to receive full allocation of inputs for individuals and irrigation schemes that were registered and contracted to embark on summer maize cropping under the Command Agriculture Programme.
About 23 000 hectares were registered under the Command Agriculture Programme in the southern region.
The Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) Midlands provincial officer, Mr Peter Chamisa said the delay in full allocation of inputs was frustrating farmers’ cropping preparations.
“We have a wide gap to cover in terms of inputs but we started to receive some inputs this week in Gweru and Kwekwe areas.
Lime is available largely due to its low uptake as some of the farmers are not fully versed on its use otherwise the quantities aren’t enough.
“There is a shortage of seed especially for the dry land as well as herbicides and Compound D fertilisers. The fact that the inputs are coming in dribs and drabs is beginning to frustrate farmers as the rains have started,” said Mr Chamisa.
About 17 000 hectares would be covered under the Command Agriculture Programme in Midlands.
Matabeleland South Agritex provincial officer Mr Judia Ncube also raised concern about the slow pace in the allocation of inputs.
“The inputs we received weren’t adequate to cover all those that were contracted under the programme. The challenge we are also having is that the inputs are not coming as a complete package. We hope the remaining allocation will be delivered soon and we expeditiously distribute to enable farmers to start their preparations in time,” Mr Ncube said.
Over 2 000 hectares was registered for Command Agriculture in Matabeleland South.
Masvingo Provincial Agritex officer Mr Paul Poshai said the allocated inputs were distributed equitably among the registered beneficiaries but hinted a considerable amount of seed and Compound D fertiliser was still needed.
“We were allocated the inputs for Command Agriculture and we distributed them equitably among those that registered for the programme and also took into consideration their contracted hectarage. The fuel we received for tillage is sufficient.
“We, however, still need seed and Compound D fertiliser, as for the seed we received about 99 percent of our requirement and we have been promised to receive the remaining inputs by next week,” said Mr Poshai.
Over 2 000 hectares was registered for Command Agriculture in Masvingo.
Matabeleland North provincial Agritex officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni said his province had enough seed and lime but fall short of the other inputs that are being allocated under the scheme.
“We received enough seed and lime but we are waiting for fuel top up as well as Compound D fertiliser. We are also in need of more herbicides and pesticides for cut worms and stalk borer because farmers should be having these by now.
“In actual fact farmers should be having all inputs at their disposal by now especially those in heavy textured or black alluvial soils because these tend to be difficult to work on when wet. We therefore hope the remaining inputs will be expeditiously allocated,” said Mr Nyoni.
A total of 1 150 hectares was registered for Command Agriculture in Matabeleland North.
@DNsingo
Online Reporter