Women’s bank releases $4,5m for Smart Agric

Tanyaradzwa Rusike

THE Zimbabwe Women Micro-Finance Bank (ZWMB) disbursed an initial $4,5 million to 2 000 farmers for the purchase of farm inputs under the rebranded Smart Agriculture programme.

Smart Agriculture is the latest version of Command Agriculture.

The programme aims at empowering local producers of various crops and livestock to boost farm operations and improve national food security.

Government has partnered Agribank, CBZ, Stanbic Bank and ZWMB to manage and disburse funds to farmers under Smart Agriculture.

These banks are supporting A1, A2 and other large-scale farmers into soyabean, maize and small grain production.

ZWMB head of marketing and public relations Ms Barbara Muyengwa told The Sunday Mail: “As at 15 November 2019, disbursements had been done to the initial 2 000 farmers … and we have released $4,5 million.

“As part of its financial inclusion initiatives and the national focus to enhance food security, Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank is financing farmers on small grains production and we are promoting crops such as sorghum, sunflower, cowpeas, finger millet and rapoko.”