adminHarare yesterday. The ZIWFT members said the price of local fertiliser of between US$37 and US$40 per 50kg bag was expensive considering other regional prices. ZIWFT Mashonaland East chairperson, Mrs Barbra Chitambira said importing fertiliser was cheaper than buying locally.
“Malawian farmers buy fertiliser at a subsidised price of US$5 per 50kg bag. If Government subsidises farmers on fertiliser, we will realise meaningful profits. This season fertiliser was readily available in the retail outlets but due to the high prices only few farmers managed to plant with fertiliser,” she said.
Mrs Chitambira said the price of fertiliser was affecting farmers and in some instances they could not afford to apply the recommended amount resulting in low yields.
Manicaland chairperson, Mrs Phyllis Nyahada said it was unfortunate that women were failing to access fertilisers even from input programmes.
Online Reporter