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Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
VILLAGERS in Matabeleland North have started receiving farming inputs under the Presidential Input Scheme for the 2013-2014 agricultural season. In an interview on Thursday, Matabeleland North Provincial Administrator Ms Latiso Dlamini said four out of the seven districts had received the inputs.
“So far Tsholotsho, Hwange, Lupane and Umguza have received the inputs. We are expecting inputs for the other districts soon,” said Ms Dlamini.
Tsholotsho District Administrator Ms Nosizi Dube said the district had received 59, 8 tonnes of maize seed and 89, 55 tonnes of Compound D fertiliser.
She said villagers in eight wards have already received the inputs.
“In Tsholotsho, we have received 59,8 tonnes of maize seed and 89,55 tonnes of Compound D fertiliser. We have distributed the inputs to Wards 9,10,11,12,13,19,20 and 22.
“We are waiting for another consignment that will be distributed to the rest of the wards in the district,” said Ms Dube.
She said the community was happy to receive the inputs, which would go a long way in alleviating hunger in the province.
“The community is happy that the Government has given them farming inputs on time. This will definitely help them prepare well for the farming season since the rains are promising.
“I also want to commend the Government for the distribution of the farming inputs because it brings hope to the hungry community. Every household is expected to benefit from the scheme and this will reduce the number of people that will be in need of food aid,” said Ms Dube.
She expressed optimism that the villagers would utilise the faming inputs wisely.
“I believe the villagers are keen and prepared for the farming season and will use the inputs wisely. We are already going down to the communities encouraging them to work hard and prove that they deserve the inputs that have been allocated to them,” said Ms Dube.
Umguza District Administrator Mrs Ernetty Sithole also confirmed that the district had received the inputs, although she was yet to establish the amount of maize seed and fertiliser received.
Under the programme each household is allocated 10 kg of maize seed, 50kg of compound D fertiliser and 50 kg of ammonium nitrate.
Online Reporter