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under the Presidential Well-Wishers Special Agricultural Inputs Scheme.
This is the third time the President, who is Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, has sourced inputs for farmers.
Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba yesterday said the inputs support scheme would see farmers receiving seed, fertiliser, pesticides, dipping chemicals and other veterinary medicines.
The value of the inputs would be announced at the function to be held at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare.
“President Mugabe raised the money to buy the inputs from well-wishers. Each province will receive inputs to support agricultural activities practised in those areas. The President has been doing this for three years in a row,” he said.
Mr Charamba said the inputs were being distributed early this year to enable farmers catch up with the season.
“Previously, the inputs were distributed during (Zanu-PF annual national people’s) conferences when it was already too late. This time the President decided to distribute the inputs to farmers early so that they plant on time,” he said.
Vice President Joice Mujuru and Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made will address the people before the President officially launches the scheme.
President Mugabe has been mobilising support for farmers under difficult circumstances including the effects of the illegal economic sanctions on the country over the past three years.
Ironically, Treasury has been mum on what package it was going to give farmers this farming season.
On Thursday Finance Minister Tendai Biti postponed the announcement of the Government’s support for farmers this season without giving reasons.
The farming season has already begun and Government sources say Treasury’s delay in announcing the support it was giving to farmers was likely to affect next year’s yields.
Last year President Mugabe sourced US$27 million under the Presidential Well-Wishers Special Agricultural Inputs Scheme that benefited 712 400 households countrywide.
Last year’s scheme was divided into four categories of inputs for the farmers.
The first category got 10 kg packs of seed maize with a value of US$36 each and 25kg of Ammonium Nitrate fertiliser.
The second category of inputs was given cottonseed pack consisting of 10kg seed and 25kg Ammonium Nitrate worth US$20.
A total of 964 tonnes of cottonseed was distributed countrywide with the bulk going to cotton producing provinces such as Midlands.
The third category was of small grains whose packs included millet, sorghum, cowpeas, groundnuts and sugar beans.
The fourth category pertained to the two Matabeleland provinces — North and South — that received dipping chemicals and other veterinary remedies worth US$1 million.
Due to the collapse of finance schemes for smallholder farmers, many poor families have been facing challenges in mobilising money to buy inputs.
President Mugabe’s inputs support scheme has seen many people managing to grow their own food, thereby ensuring food security at household level.
Online Reporter