Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Business Reporter
AGRICULTURE input suppliers have beefed up their stocks ahead of the 2022/2023 summer cropping season and assured farmers of adequate supplies.
With Government also saying it has commenced distribution of inputs under the Intwasa/Pfumvudza model targeting communal farmers, the country is geared to boost its food security, recovering from the reduced harvest this year due to poor rains.
A snap survey conducted by the Business Chronicle in Bulawayo has shown that input supply dealers are already fully stocked with seed varieties, fertiliser and chemicals.
Operators such as Farm and City, Farmbiz, One Stop Farm Hub and other retailers said they had enough supplies to meet market demand amid price differences between each outlet.
For instance, maize seed has been packed from as little as 2kg to 25kgs with a 2kg pack pegged at between $4 849 to $5 926 while a 5kg pack ranges from $13 365 to $15 500 with 25kgs selling from $70 000 to $85 925, depending on varieties.
The suppliers also have fertilisers ranging from 5kg to 50kg with Compound D being sold from as lowest as $3 000 to $28 000 depending on size of package while Ammonium Nitrate (AN) 10kg is pegged at $8 400 and Compound C 10kg at $5 700.
Also available are seed varieties such as sugar beans, soya beans, sorghum, sunflower and ground nuts.
A pack of 25kg soya beans goes for $42 570, sugar beans 5kg at $14 850, sorghum 10kg at $13 860 and groundnuts 10kg at $26 219.
“All is set for the coming planting season. We urge farmers to start preparing their land and buy their inputs on time to avoid inconveniences,” said an official from one of the suppliers.
The suppliers have urged farmers to buy inputs early saying at this time of the season prices will still be affordable.
Contacted for comment Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) executive director, Mr Paul Zakariya, said the cropping season was fast approaching, which means farmers must get ready. He stressed the need to ensure a successful season to avert food shortages.
“We are extremely grateful for the early distribution of inputs to the farming communities. Smallholder farmers have been given a shot in the arm and there will be no excuse for not planting with the early effective rains,” said Mr Zakariya.
“As farmers sell their commodities, they should be stocking up inputs for the coming season. Our marketing season was, however, characterised by low producer prices and as such, farmers will need to be supported in as far as procuring inputs is concerned.”
Confederations of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Matabeleland Chapter president, Mr Raymond Shoniwa, has said that planning for the season does not start when the rains come but organised farmers need to start planning right now.
In a separate interview, Syngenta sales agronomist for Matabeleland Ms Annette Mutetwa said as the rain season approaches, preparedness and proper planning was a must for farmers. She said farmers need to buy genuine inputs, which are manufactured with regional climate inclinations in mind and encouraged farmers to plan ahead. — @SikhulekelaniM1
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