Farming inputs distribution starts

Agriculture Reporter

Distribution of Government-subsidised farming inputs for the 2010/11 season has started in earnest in Murewa District, Mashonaland East with 240 tonnes of compound D and 120 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertilisers, and 56 tonnes of maize seed having been given to villagers so far.

“All the 28 wards involved in the scheme have so far received part of their packages of compound D fertiliser and seed and are now waiting for ammonium nitrate that has not been adequately supplied at the moment.

“Eight wards have gotten their full packages to date and the rest will soon follow though the process is a bit slow as we are receiving 30 tonnes of fertilisers every week,” said farmer support service assistant, Mr Raftopolous Fumphanda in an interview in Murehwa yesterday.

There are 30 wards in Murehwa District and two of them fall under Murehwa Urban and will not get subsidised inputs.

He said the district had been allocated 280 tonnes of compound D, 280 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 56 tonnes of seed.

In each ward, 200 households will benefit from the scheme under which they can buy two bags of compound D and ammonium nitrate and a 10kg packet of seed just for US$35.

Mr Fumphanda said, “Vulnerable households have been allocated 20 tonnes of compound D, 20 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and eight tonnes of maize seed, which they will get for free. “So far four-and-a-half tonnes of fertiliser have been taken while 0,9 tonnes of seed have also been taken.

“This category of beneficiaries is facing serious challenges in both transport and raising cash to come and claim their packages,” he explained.

He appealed to the local authority and area MPs to assist in the distribution of inputs to vulnerable households as some were even physically challenged and unable to walk.