LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
Zimbabwe plans to finish inputs distribution under the Smart Agriculture Scheme and Presidential Input Support Scheme by the end of August as it targets six million beneficiaries.
In previous seasons, farmers received inputs between October and November and experts say the early distribution of inputs reflects the country’s commitment in supporting farmers to increase food production.
But with the beneficiaries figure increasing by 69% to 5.9m from 3.5m, this has jolted the government to distribute inputs early.
Obert Jiri, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services chief director told Business Times last week that the early inputs distribution could give farmers a head start.
“Given that the number of beneficiaries have increased this year, we are planning to distribute inputs by the end of August to cater for all farmers under the programme. We are witnessing an increase in the programmes,” Jiri said.
He said various Agritex officers across the country have added some new beneficiaries through the new tablets, which take information in real time.
It is understood that Agritex officers are carrying out a number of meetings with the farmers in the area to finalise the paperwork to enable early input distribution.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural development has also joined forces with key stakeholders such as the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services, Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) to ensure the process is closely monitored.
The GMB, which was awarded the contract to distribute inputs for the new summer cropping season continues to distribute with the government saying the process is going on well with the Ministry of Agriculture remodeling the distribution chain to promote traceability and accountability.
The authorities will also distribute Carbaryl 85 for the management of African armyworm.
The government’s interventions will also include a fairly wide cloud seeding programme designed to improve rainfall patterns Incase of dry spells.
The conservative method will help farmers without irrigation schemes to preserve moisture in the holes.
Government plans to drill boreholes in strategic A1 and communal farming areas.
This comes as the bulk of the local beneficiaries of the government’s various irrigation schemes have received agricultural equipment.
The government wants farmers to utilise the first effective rains to get the best possible yields.
Government has already set aside funds to secure fertilisers for the forthcoming season.
Agritex officers are already on the ground to train and enhance farmers’ technical skills to achieve desired output per hectare.
Authorities are pushing for farmers to attain a yield of five tonnes per hectare, which will enable Zimbabwe to achieve above two million tonnes yearly
