adminElita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
Beneficiaries of the Presidential Inputs Scheme will start receiving their packs from next Monday, in time for the start of the summer cropping season. The scheme will cater for at least 350 000 vulnerable households, with each of them getting a 10kg bag of seed maize, 50kg compound D fertiliser and 50kg top dressing fertiliser.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development has since mobilised 3 000 tonnes of seed maize, 15 000 tonnes each of compound D and top dressing fertilisers for the programme.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said yesterday that some suppliers had delivered inputs under the scheme to Grain Marketing Board depots in their respective areas.
“The distribution will officially start on Monday in selected areas,” he said.
“There are some areas where farmers should have inputs before the rains as it will be difficult to move after the rains. The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare will give vouchers to beneficiaries of the scheme.”
Dr Made said the cotton package will be given to farmers who will also get inputs for a quarter hectare.
“This does not mean other programmes for cotton have been cancelled,” he said.
“Contractors will continue funding farmers while the Presidential Inputs Scheme will provide inputs for a quarter hectare in all cotton growing areas.
“GMB has already been instructed to start distribution of the inputs on Monday and as inputs come, they will simultaneously be distributed.”
Dr Made said the distribution of machinery and equipment under the Zimbabwe-Brazil More Food for Africa programme was on course.
He said some farmers were failing to raise funds for the transportation of the machinery, but that would not hinder the distribution of the equipment.
“No technical people should tell farmers that machinery has been delayed because of transport,” said Dr Made.
“I have given a directive that there be speed in the installation of the equipment. Two experts from Brazil will be coming to Zimbabwe on October 1 and all the machinery should be on the ground by then.”
Dr Made said each irrigation scheme will be assigned a minimum of two Agritex officers to assist farmers with crop husbandry and boost food production.
The Meteorological Services Department has predicted a normal to below normal rainfall season and farmers have been urged to consider small grains and short season varieties in anticipation of the average rains.
Government has already set aside $500 000 for cloud seeding.
Online Reporter