THE Pfumvudza/Intwasa farming programme has been used to fleece recipient farmers who were being asked to pay US$2 each which was said to be money for transporting the inputs.

Transporters allegedly connived with Agritex officers and Grain Marketing Board (GMB) staff to demand the payment in forex.

Farmers according to Government should not pay anything as the transporters are paid by Government.

The issue of transporters and officials defrauding farmers came out during the Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) 81st annual congress held in Gweru on Friday.

During the question-and-answer segment, a farmer from Gutu Mr Maxwell Taedza, said last year farmers were made to pay the inputs transport costs and the same officers were back demanding payment for delivering the inputs for the forthcoming  season.

“Well, it is happening that farmers, grandmothers who have nothing are forced to look for at least US$2 to receive farming inputs under Pfumvudza/Intwasa. The transporters are working with Agritex and GMB officers. It’s a well-orchestrated scheme and given the number of recipients, these people are collecting thousands of US dollars,” he said.

In response, GMB chief executive, Mr Rockie Mutenha said it was a criminal offence to make farmers pay for farming inputs under Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.

“There is a fund of $382 million from Government that has been availed for transportation of Pfumvudza/Intwasa farming inputs. The money is there to pay transporters to bring the farming inputs from GMB depots to wards. Villagers should not pay anything to received the inputs,” he said.

Mr Mutenha explained that GMB engaged transporters so that inputs are brought closer to the farmers.

He said GMB wanted the inputs to be delivered to the farmers before the onset of the rains hence it hired private transporters to assist in the distribution.

“It is therefore, criminal for transporters to charge villagers for  transport when they are being paid by Government,” said Mr Mutenha.

He said some transporters were telling the farmers that the money they are demanding is for buying fuel which is false.

“If a transporter wants us to provide fuel he informs us and we provide the fuel and adjust the payments accordingly,” said Mr Mutenha.

Mr Mutenha urged villagers to report to the District Development Co-ordinator (DDC) in their area or the police if Agritex, GMB or transporters demand payment for delivering inputs.

The DDC, he said, is in charge of the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa inputs distribution committees.

Mr Mutenha also warned farmers against selling Pfumvudza/ Intwasa inputs saying those who dared do it risk being arrested.

“If a farmer doesn’t want to participate in this Government programme, he or she should refuse the inputs. Those who receive the inputs have an obligation to produce not only for themselves but the nation at large,” he said.