Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
The Government has stepped up distribution of agricultural inputs to more than three million households under the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme, moving swiftly to take advantage of the early rains that have fallen across the country.
This accelerated rollout, officials say, is meant to ensure farmers plant on time and maximise yields in a season where weather patterns remain unpredictable.
Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Acting Leader of Government Business and Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima, said inputs were already being delivered nationwide, with some areas having received nearly half of their allocations.
“The programme to deliver inputs has already started in earnest and in some cases, such inputs have already been delivered to the extent of 50 percent,” said Prof Mavima.
“In other cases, it is slightly below 50 percent and this is happening in all parts of the country.
“As Government, we should work to ensure that we deliver inputs as early as possible, given especially the changing climatic conditions where we do not know exactly when rains are going to be upon us.”
He said provincial launches of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme were currently underway and would pave the way for farmers to receive their allocations.
“For the Pfumvudza programme, there are provincial launches that are taking place in the various provinces as we speak,” he said.
“After the launch, beneficiaries get the inputs in the various districts.
“Therefore, this is already being done and we are happy that the rains have come early.
“I am sure that within a short space of time, all the inputs, especially under the Presidential Input Scheme, will have been delivered to the beneficiaries.”
