Shortages of Fertilizer Jeopardize Zimbabwe 2012 Maize Crop Yields
30 January 2012
Ammonium nitrate manufacturers – Sable Chemicals and Zimbabwe Fertilizer
Company, both subsidiaries of Chemplex Corporation Limited – said that
production is hampered by a lack of operating funds
Gibbs Dube | Washington
Zimbabwean farmers who managed to get a maize crop in the ground this spring
despite shortages of seed and fertilizer now face shortages of ammonium
nitrate top-dressing – though it can be purchased in the informal
marketplace at premium prices.
The latest shortages have raised fears of low yields in the current season.
Ammonium nitrate manufacturers Sable Chemicals and the Zimbabwe Fertilizer
Company, both subsidiaries of state enterprise Chemplex Corporation Limited,
said that production of fertilizer has been hampered by their limited
operating capital.
Chemplex Corporation, owned by the state-controlled Zimbabwe Industrial
Development Corporation, said that production has also been hurt by high
prices for electric power which have almost crippled production at Sable
Chemicals.
Fertilizer company executives declined to comment.
Sources said informal traders are doing a brisk business charging up to
US$50 for a 50-kilogram bag of ammonium nitrate. The recommended retail
price is US$30.
Parliamentary Agriculture Committee Chairman Moses Jiri said the shortage of
ammonium nitrate will have a negative impact on this year’s crops.
Commercial Farmers Union President Charles Taffs said the government should
provide financial assistance to ammonium nitrate producers.
“The problem lies with lack of capital to boost the production of this
crucial agricultural input and lack of planning by the government,” Taffs
said.