Online Reporter
Patience Maturure
Agriculture Reporter
THE distribution of inputs under the Presidential Inputs Programme has advanced, with farmers expected to receive Compound D fertiliser allocations by mid-November.
Fertiliser companies are also working hard to ensure a smooth and timely distribution process.
This came out during a tour of the Langford fertiliser manufacturing company in Waterfalls, Harare, on Wednesday by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri.
He said timely delivery of agricultural inputs, particularly fertilisers, would give farmers a head start on planting and boost their chances of a successful harvest as they prepare for the summer cropping season.
“In terms of top-dressing fertiliser, we are also bringing in quite a lot. Currently, we are sitting on over 25 000 tonnes of compound D, set to reach all the main production areas by mid-November
“Because our top-dressing fertilisers are only required four weeks after planting, we are prepared as we approach the start of the summer season,” he said.
He assured farmers of adequate farming inputs, including compound D and top-dressing fertilisers, with production and distribution already in progress.
“The seed is available, and the fertilisers are available. We have two types of fertilisers: compound D and top-dressing fertiliser, which we will need for both.
“In terms of seed, we are ready; we have all the seed in the country. We have already started moving to our GMB depots. In some areas, distribution has started,” he said.
Prof Jiri said the Langford fertiliser plant had a daily production capacity of 2 090 tonnes and was one of the country’s key suppliers.
“To meet the demands of the Presidential Inputs Programme, we need approximately 100 000 tonnes of fertiliser and this plant is geared up to contribute to that target.
“The Langford fertiliser plant’s daily production capacity of 2 000 tonnes translates to a 50-day production run to meet the PIP’s requirement of 100 000 tonnes,” he said.
Prof Jiri said production of fertilisers had commenced earlier to ensure a significant head start in meeting the compound D needs for the programme.
Langford chief executive Mr Titus Maravanyika assured the Government that the company was prepared to meet the country’s fertiliser needs, with production currently running at a robust 2 090 tonnes per day.
“We have the capacity to supply the nation with all the PIP requirements. We are already running production and have all the necessary raw materials for blending and packaging compounds.
“As we speak, we are already at over 30 percent of our supply to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB),” he said.
