adminSenior Business Reporter
FARMERS have called on the Government to prioritise foreign currency allocation to fertiliser producers in order to address fertiliser shortage which is threatening the 2016/17 summer cropping season.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development was told recently that fertiliser companies were not getting enough foreign currency and as such were failing to import raw materials.
It has also emerged that some manufacturers have raw materials and fertiliser in their warehouses held under a collateral management agreement, but can only be accessed after paying external suppliers.
Farmers said planting had progressed very well and the rains received so far are pointing to a good season but their worry is the shortage of fertiliser.
Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union executive director Mr Paul Zakariya said the Government should urgently address the issue of fertiliser shortage.
“So far, the maize crop farmers have planted across the country is quite good. Farmers with early planted crop should now be applying top dressing fertiliser which at the moment is in short supply,” he said.
Mr Zakariya said the country is likely to record a bumper harvest and all that is needed is to ensure there is adequate fertiliser and other inputs.
On tobacco Mr Zakariya said the planted crop was doing well despite incidences of hailstorm that hit some parts of the country.
He would not be drawn into ascertaining the hectorage planted under maize and tobacco saying such information will only be known after a crop assessment by the Government.
In a separate interview, Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa concurred with Mr Zakariya adding that a number of farmers in cotton producing areas have this season reverted to cotton production.
He said the shift follows a “huge” incentive through a 100 percent subsidy by the Government.
“This farming season we have seen a number of farmers reverting to cotton production following incentives introduced by Government that include subsidised seed and chemicals.
“In addition, the farmers have also been attracted to grow cotton as the Government has increased the producer price to 55 cents a kilogramme from 45 cents,” said Mr Chabikwa.
Zimbabwe’s cotton output is forecast to increase by about 400 percent to about 150 000 tonnes in the upcoming season on the back of free inputs to cover about 150 000 farmers.
In 2015, the country recorded an output of 30 000 tonnes, the lowest in more than two decades, with yields mostly affected by drought, which hit several southern African countries. — @okazunga
Online Reporter