GMB urged to speed up input distribution

this year, Mazowe West legislator Cde Richard Chirongwe has said.
Speaking at a field day at Fairview Farm in the constituency, Cde Chirongwe said availing inputs to farmers when they deliver their produce would go a long way in boosting national food security.
“The programme which was started by GMB last year for exchanging delivered crops with inputs is noble as it goes a long way in helping farmers to adequately prepare for the farming season.
“However, the distribution of the inputs should be early as late disbursements do not augur well towards efficient production,” he said.
Cde Chirongwe said it was ideal for farmers to collect the inputs when they deliver their crops to GMB.
The field day was held by the Ten Tonne Club – which has a goal of achieving a minimum of 10 tonnes of maize per hectare.
It was hosted by Mr Godwin Chihaka.
The club has seven members who cumulatively planted 420 hectares of maize.
Cde Chirongwe paid tribute to partners of the Ten Tonne Club, who include Pioneer Seeds, Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company, Gwebi Agriculture College, Agritex, Farmec and CBZ Bank.
Cde Chirongwe gave the farmers 10 tonnes of fertiliser.
The Ten Tonne Club was started in the 2009-2010 season.
They have harvested an average of 13,9 tonnes of maize.
Host farmer Mr Chihaka (55) put in 95 hectares of maize this season and expects to harvest more than 1 000 tonnes.
Mr Chihaka said they faced a number of challenges, including mechanisation of operations.
“We also have a problem of financing our activities as banks demand collateral.
“In the event that one manages to access the finances, they are disbursed late by the financial institutions,” he said.