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under the US$45 mi-llion Subsidised Inputs Facility for the 2011 summer cropping to ensure early planning.
With the rainy season setting in, farmers said they would like more action on the ground and not just promises.
Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union director Mr Paul Zakariya said while it was important that Government had allocated resources towards funding for this year’s summer cropping, farmers would only be content after the delivery of the promise.
“We will only believe it if the funds are released,” he said.
“We are only a few weeks away from the rainy season and farmers should have the inputs by then. What happened last season should not be allowed if the country is to produce enough.”
In the past, the Government would release less money compared to what it would have promised, greatly affecting agricultural production.
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“We have had so many promises which never materialised,” said Mr Zakariya.
“There also has to be a lot of trust between Government and input manufacturers so that they can release the inputs.”
Mr Zakariya commended Government for including all categories of farmers to benefit from the facility, since targeting a certain group could lead to price disparities.
“If a bag of fertiliser costs US$15, then every farmer should buy at that price,” he said. “That is why we have been calling for subsidies for manufacturers so that the price of the final product is uniform and every farmer can access the commodity.”
Mr Zakariya said subsidising the final product could result in some intended beneficiaries not getting the inputs.
“What if the farmers do not have the cash to buy the subsidised inputs? Some people with resources may end up benefiting or abusing the facility in the process,” he said.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Mr Donald Khumalo said the programme maybe beneficial to farmers depending with the method used to disburse the inputs. He said there should be strict monitoring and control measures for the inputs to get to farmers.
“Normally, the facility is abused and Agritex officers and farmers unions should assist in spearheading the programme,” said Mr Khumalo.
“It is also time that Government sees the value in livestock. All sectors of agriculture are important and resources should be directed to the livestock sector.”
Common Market for East and Southern Africa regional agro inputs programme national co-ordinator, Mr Midway Bhunu, said the inputs should be availed on time.
“Already, the country is lagging behind and the inputs should be made available early so that farmers can plant early,” he said.
“Beneficiaries should put the inputs to good use rather than selling the commodity at a higher price. The seed and fertilisers should be used to produce food than to have the commodities exchanging hands without any production taking place.”
Farming depends on timing and experts always advise farmers to plant on time as they lose 20kgs in planting grains per hectare per day for every day delayed.
Online Reporter