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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
The Grain Marketing Board has warned beneficiaries of free inputs under the Presidential inputs scheme against selling them as they are meant to enhance productivity levels at their plots and rewards are now on offer to encourage whistle blowers who see illegal deals.
In a statement, GMB said free Presidential inputs were not for sale and beneficiaries are supposed to use the inputs well by planting in their areas.
‘’GMB wishes to remind members of the public that in terms of Statutory Instrument 247 of 2018. It is unlawful to sell or purchase inputs that are being distributed to farmers under Presidential Inputs Programme or any contract scheme or from any unauthorised dealer,’’ said the board.
Some unscrupulous traders were receiving stolen inputs and GMB stressed this was illegal and detrimental to both the buyer and seller.
More practically, GMB said it would reward anyone who came forward with positive information leading to arrest of perpetrators or the recovery of diverted or stolen inputs.
Members of the public with such information are urged to contact GMB Entreprise Risk Department on 0772182408 , 0772194612, 0772194609 or email [email protected].
Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri urged communities to fully use their land and maximise production, warning Agritex officers and beneficiaries against abusing Pfumvudza agricultural inputs.
He said those caught offside would faced the full wrath of the law.
‘’We are happy that communities are exuding enthusiasm over the impeding farming season,” he said. “We are on a crusade moving around every district and ward preaching the gospel of using the land and the benefits that come with adopting Pfumvudza programme.
“Every farmer should be serious, plough and harvest the surplus even in the event of the less rainfall. We will not tolerate abuse of inputs . It will be a disgrace to hear that people are abusing them.’’
Cotton Producers and Marketers Association chairman, Mr Stewart Mubonderi, said farmers were risking being arrested and getting disqualified from getting the free inputs in future.
He expressed hope for a good season saying the high foreign currency component is motivating more farimers to join this season.
This year Zimbabwe is targeting to get US$70 million from cotton exports.
Last year President Mnangagwa extended the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme to include cotton as part of accelerating rural modernisation and industrialisation.
This is in line with the Second Republic thrust of modernising the country’s pivotal agriculture sector vis-à-vis enhancing production and productivity in line with the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy, which seeks to achieve a US$8,2 billion agriculture economy by 2025.
Recently, Zimbabwe National Farmers Union vice president Mr Fidelis Gweshe said the schemes are very helpful in sustaining food security for the country adding that it also helps to empower the underprivileged people.
“We accept that these schemes are helpful. The majority are equipped with these schemes. We are assured of food security since most people in rural areas are involved in these schemes. The majority of people are grateful with the support from the Government. If the process of inputs distribution is speeded up it will also help farmers to acquire inputs on time,” he said.
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