Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
SEED companies and farmers are confident of a successful 2021/22 summer cropping season after the Government availed farming inputs on time.
President Mnangagwa officially launched the 2021/22 Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme at Nenyunga Primary School in Gokwe last Thursday where he implored farmers to work hard and achieve another bumper harvest.
The country is expected to receive normal to above normal rainfall this season, according to weather experts. Seed and fertiliser suppliers have assured the nation of adequate supplies while the Government has upscaled input distribution for different farmer categories.
In separate interviews, seed producers and farmers commended President Mnangagwa’s Government for improved support to the sector.
“When you get the inputs on time it helps not only in increasing hectares, but productiveness,” said Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) youth chairperson, Mr Prosper Chikwara.
“This year we saw a marginal increase in appetite from young farmers who have also decided to be part of the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa programme.”
Mrs Colleta Sigwati — a farmer from Chirumhanzu in the Midlands said: “I am happy that we are now on the right track in terms of planning. We have since received our share of inputs”.
Agriseeds director for sales and marketing, Mr Ivan Craig, said they had enough stocks to meet demand.
“We are confident that with our varieties and the fact the Government has launched the 2021/22 summer cropping season in time, we will have another bumper harvest,” he said, adding that local input producers were able to expand market through programmes such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa.
Synergy Seeds business development head, Mr Tawanda Mangisi, said they had special varieties that do well in all regions of the country.
“We are confident we will have a bumper harvest because we have witnessed the President launching the Pfumvudza/Intwasa on time and we have the seed available, which has been and is still being distributed,” he said.
“The earlier farmers get farming inputs the better for farming preparations. We have varieties that dovetails with the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa programme. The varieties are climate-smart and adapt to all maize farming areas of the country.”
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, said the country was on a positive growth trajectory with agriculture set to contribute more.
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