daniel chigunwe
Ashton Mutyavaviri
FARMERS in Ward 22 of Gokwe South have red-flagged their councillor and the inputs distribution committee for allegedly demanding payments purportedly to meet transport costs of moving inputs from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot to the collection points.
The farmers allege that they are being made to pay US$2 for the ferrying of a five-kilogramme pack of maize seed, US$3 for the ward and US$5 for tax. Failure to do so will see the farmer being excluded from receiving the inputs that are coming courtesy of the Presidential Inputs Programme meant to support resource constrained communal farmers.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has since warned that it is an offence for those presiding over the distribution of inputs to demand transport payments for the movement of inputs from GMB to collection points saying the Government was meeting the costs.
GMB corporate communications officer Mr Nixon Kanyemba said: “No one is supposed to pay anything to get inputs. Those who are doing it are breaking the law. It is not allowed to make farmers pay for transport charges to get inputs.”
Mr Kanyemba also reminded members of the public that in terms of Statutory Instrument 247 of 2018, it is unlawful to sell or purchase inputs distributed to farmers under the Presidential Inputs Scheme or from an unauthorised dealer. He urged those with information on such happenings to contact them at GMB Enterprise Risk Department on 0772182408, 0772194612, 0772194609 or e-mail [email protected]
His remarks come as allegations of inputs abuse and prejudicing of farmers from getting their dues by those in positions of authority are growing by the day.
The Gokwe South farmers, for instance, have since indicated that the unexpected financial burden coming courtesy of the demands by their local leadership had left many farmers struggling to raise the money that is adding up to US$10.
“This means that we are no longer going to access the inputs because we do not have the cash,” said one of the affected farmers who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Efforts to get a comment from Government on the goings-on characterising the current national inputs distribution exercises were unsuccessful with Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Professor Jiri’s phone not reachable.
However, in a separate incident, Prof Jiri recently urged communities to fully utilise their land and maximise production, warning Agritex officers and beneficiaries against abusing Pfumvudza inputs.
He encouraged all farmers to invest maximum effort in their activities to ensure they get surplus yields even in the event of less rainfall. It would be a disgrace to hear that people are abusing Pfumvudza inputs, Prof Jiri observed then.
The Presidential Inputs Programme was introduced as a flagship initiative with the aim of boosting agricultural production and food security in the country. Under this programme, eligible farmers were expected to receive subsidised inputs such as seeds and fertilisers, which are crucial for their farming activities.
Online Reporter