Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
GOVERNMENT says the availability of nitrogen-based topdressing fertiliser has improved across the country after emergency measures were activated to stabilise supplies at a critical stage of crop development, as heavy rains peak nationwide.
The country is experiencing one of its strongest agricultural seasons in decades after having been hit by several droughts.
However, persistent rainfall has also created challenges, including fertiliser leaching, waterlogging and delayed access to fields, driving up demand for nitrogen fertilisers at a time when crops require urgent nutritional support.
Nitrogen, which is essential for leaf development, crop vigour and yield formation, is the most easily leached nutrient under heavy rainfall.
Basal fertilisers applied at planting typically contain only small amounts of nitrogen, making topdressing essential as crops advance through vegetative growth stages.
Ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate are commonly used for topdressing than urea and provide relatively predictable nitrogen availability under wet conditions.
However, during very wet seasons, farmers are often encouraged to use urea because of its higher nitrogen content, which helps compensate for losses through leaching.
When using urea, agronomists recommend split applications and timely incorporation into the soil to maximise efficiency and protect crops from nutrient loss.
For several weeks, shortages were reported across most agro-dealers and input suppliers, with limited stocks pushing some farmers to the informal market, where a 50kg bag of ammonium nitrate was selling for up to US$56.
To cushion farmers against these pressures, the Government last year proactively gazetted a Statutory Instrument lifting import duty on nitrogen-based fertilisers ahead of the cropping season, but the implementation on the ground was slowing processes.
The measure has since been activated to accelerate the movement of the critical input into the country.
A snap survey by Zimpapers this week shows that most agro-dealers and input suppliers are now holding improved stocks, although prices remain elevated, with a 50kg bag of ammonium nitrate averaging US$42.
Some suppliers indicated that additional consignments are expected before the end of the week, which could further ease supply constraints.
Speaking during a crop assessment tour in Mashonaland West Province last Friday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said the suspension of duties on fertiliser imports was already yielding tangible results.
“As the Government, we suspended duties for another year, from November 1, 2025, to October 30, 2026,” said Deputy Minister Haritatos.
“What we are seeing now is fertiliser companies bringing in large volumes of nitrogen fertilisers duty-free.”
He said the policy was deliberately designed to ensure that duty savings were passed on to farmers, allowing them to access more affordable ammonium nitrate, urea and related products at a time when crops urgently require nitrogen supplementation.
Deputy Minister Haritatos acknowledged that there had been a brief slowdown in fertiliser inflows earlier this month, but said the situation had stabilised following direct Government engagement with suppliers.
“We did notice a slow movement of nitrogen fertilisers about a week or two ago. As a ministry, we intervened and called in fertiliser houses, who assured us that supplies were in transit, with some already in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We are now seeing farmers accessing this fertiliser. It is important that it is applied almost immediately, but in split applications, because of leaching caused by excessive rainfall. We believe things have largely normalised this week.”
He urged farmers facing supply challenges to engage Agricultural Business Advisors based in every district to allow swift corrective interventions where gaps persist.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Prof Obert Jiri, said the Government had prioritised nitrogen fertiliser imports to support crops affected by persistent rains.
He said the current season, comparable to bumper agricultural years such as 1979, 2009 and 2020, had brought both opportunity and complexity.
“We are enjoying a very, very good season. But when rains are excessive, nitrogen is washed away, fields become difficult to access and crops require additional nutritional support,” said Prof Jiri.
Government assessments indicate that most crops across the country are in good condition, particularly early-planted fields.
However, pockets of concern have been noted in low-lying areas such as Lower Chipinge, Chisumbanje and parts of the Gokwe area, where flooding and poor soils have resulted in nitrogen deficiency.
To mitigate the impact, he said, the Government is availing additional fertiliser under Presidential input support programmes and encouraging farmers to use liquid and foliar fertilisers, which can be applied even when land remains too wet for conventional topdressing.
As rains are expected to ease towards the end of the month, the Government has also warned of a possible increase in weed pressure and pest outbreaks, including African armyworm, fall armyworm and locusts.
“Farmers must continue scouting their fields and applying recommended agronomic practices,” said Prof Jiri.
“With fertiliser imports now flowing and vigilance on the ground, we remain confident of a successful agricultural season.”
