Sydney Mabaiwa Masvingo Correspondent
Government has set aside $154 million for the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme for the 2018 /19 agricultural season, which will benefit more than two million households across the country, an official has said.

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Development, Davis Marapira told farmers at a stakeholders meeting in Masvingo North last week that each household will get 10kg of maize seed, 50kg of Compound D and 50kg of Ammonium Nitrate fertilisers respectively.

He also urged traditional leaders to desist from nepotism and discrimination when distributing inputs.

“These inputs, which are issued here were given to you by President Mnangagwa who has a vision to see the country’s agricultural productivity growing. He is a servant from God who has people’s interest at heart,” said Deputy Minister Marapira.

“Our President has a vision to revive the country’s agriculture sector and he will make sure there is no one who dies of hunger because you are so dear to him as citizens.

“The early distribution of inputs reaffirms the new dispensation’s thrust to address food security issues and increase production as we move forward with the agrarian reforms.

“In addition, the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme is for free and we also have another programme, Command Agriculture which was launched in 2016. We are encouraging farmers to join this scheme to enhance full utilisation of land and production.”

The Deputy Minister said the inputs scheme was meant to empower citizens at household level and to restore the country’s economy through agriculture.

He said Zimbabweans should embrace Government’s efforts rather than be hoodwinked by those claiming the programme was a vote buying initiative.

“The inputs distribution programme to farmers should not be mistaken as vote buying.

“In essence the programme is primed to ensure that the country’s economy improves through agriculture.

“We know that most of our farmers struggle to make ends meet and as such our President came up with this programme to cater for every household in the country,” he said.

Cde Marapira urged farmers to put inputs into good use and view the gesture from the Head of State and Government as an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to sustainable and national economic development.

He said the farmers should start preparations for the next farming season now and make use of the first rains to boost their yields.

“Let’s not break the President’s heart by abusing these inputs. Cde Mnangagwa is concerned about the nation’s welfare and everyone should be empowered to address food security issues,” he said.

Last year, 4 000 people in Masvingo North constituency received farming inputs under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.