Minister assures farmers of inputs

By Elita Chikwati
Government will assist farmers with inputs to counter the effects of global war-ming and climate change, which is causing food shortages and price increases.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made on Wednesday said Cabinet had taken this decision in the interest of national development.
“Cabinet has agreed to work towards facilitating input support for every farmer. Assistance should be extended even to A2 and peri-urban farmers as they are also critical in food production.
“The fact that one percent of the maize grown so far comes from the peri-urban farmers shows their importance in ensuring household food security,” he said.
The minister said the first crop assessment at the end of January showed that 2 096 034 hectares of maize had been planted compared to 1 800 000 hectares at the same time last year.
“Of the maize planted, 64 percent was planted by communal farmers, 16 percent by A1, seven percent by A2 and eight percent from old resettlement schemes,” he said.
Small-scale and peri-urban farmers planted three and one percent respectively.
“Peri-urban farming will also be the major feature in input support in future because of food shortages and price increases globally.
“We are going to work together with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management to help urban farmers protect their lands so that they do not harm the environment,” Minister Made said.
By February 4, Mashonaland Central had planted 231 000 ha, Manicaland (262 000ha), Mashonaland East (247 000ha), Mashonaland West (376 000ha), Matabeleland North (166 000ha), Matabeleland South (148 000ha), Midlands (384 00ha), and Masvingo (276 000 ha).
Minister Made said by end of January the quality of the crop was very good but this did not necessarily mean high yields due to the recent dry spell.
He emphasised the need for farmers to plant early and said the onus was on his Ministry and the Ministry of Finance to ensure farmers accesses inputs on time.