Govt warns farmers
LETTICIA MAGOMBO
Government has warned farmers not to buy seed from bogus dealers who are on the prowl across the country.
In a public notice this week, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, through its Department of Research and Specialist Services, said it has partnered the Zimbabwe Republic Police to hunt down bogus seed dealers as part of efforts to protect the farmers.
“In order, to eradicate bogus seed sellers, selling counterfeit agro-inputs to farmers, inspectors from Seed Services Institute and the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds and Remedies Institute, with support from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, are carrying out spot checks on various agro dealer premises across the country to monitor compliance to the specifications of the relevant regulatory and quality assurance frameworks.”
Those found on the wrong side of the law, the department said, “will be prosecuted and face the full wrath of the law.”
The department said farmers and the general public should buy certified agro-inputs from registered agro-dealers to avoid being duped by unscrupulous dealers selling counterfeit products.
