Fertiliser shortage threatens farmers

Fertiliser shortage threatens farmers http://www.theindependent.co.zw/ Thursday, 19 January 2012 14:04 Paul Nyakazeya SHORTAGE of top dressing fertiliser and distribution challenges are threatening to negatively affect maize, tobacco and cotton production this year, the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) said.In its latest crop and livestock weekly report, ZFU said the shortage of fertiliser was affecting all provinces. “The major challenge …

Met Office issues flood warning

Met Office issues flood warning http://www.newzimbabwe.com/ 18/01/2012 00:00:00 by Staff Reporter THE Met Office has warned of severe flooding in parts of Zimbabwe as rains pound the country following a two-week dry spell. Forecasters are warning that between Thursday and Wednesday, the country will see the heaviest rainfall activity since the first rains in November. “The forecast …

US$30 million worth of “Presidential Input Scheme” looted

US$30 million worth of “Presidential Input Scheme” looted http://www.thezimbabwemail.com By Staff Reporter 16/01/2012 18:58:00 HARARE – Robert Mugabe’s controversial “Presidential Well Wishers Special Input Scheme” meant to benefit party loyalists masquerading as farmers has been looted; US$30 million worth of inputs have disappeared and members of the Central Intelligence have been called-in to investigate the scandal. Farmers have …

Bulawayo Set To Run Dry

Bulawayo Set To Run Dry http://www.radiovop.com Bulawayo, January 17, 2012- Bulawayo residents face another round of water shortages as the local authority is going to decommission one of its five supply dams, Umzingwane, next month due to low water levels. Two more dams, Upper Ncema and Inyankuni will be decommissioned in the coming months unless significant rain is …

GMB still to pay farmers

GMB still to pay farmers http://www.dailynews.co.zw By Bulawayo CorrespondentSunday, 15 January 2012 13:38 HARARE – Farmers in the Matabeleland region are still to be paid for last season’s winter wheat deliveries by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) a position that has negatively affected their farming activities. Matabeleland North Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZFCU) Chairperson Irene Maphenduka said morale …

Presidental Scheme Halted at GMB Karoi Depot

Presidental Scheme Halted at GMB Karoi Depot http://www.radiovop.com Karoi, January 15, 2012- The controversial Presidential scheme was halted at the Karoi Grain Marketing Board depot last Friday amid accusations of looting by senior Zanu-PF officials forcing desperate farmers to go home empty handed. The depot was virtually deserted as few farmers were seen milling around after it was announced …

Hunger ravages Zimbabwe’s dry regions

Hunger ravages Zimbabwe’s dry regions http://www.thestandard.co.zw/ Saturday, 14 January 2012 18:13 BY OUR STAFFHunger is stalking most parts of the country, with people living in semi-arid areas already facing serious food shortages.There are fears that starvation is imminent unless the government and other stakeholders quickly act to avoid disaster.One of the worst affected areas is Chimanimani West …

Zim tobacco exports rake in US$390m

Zim tobacco exports rake in US$390m http://www.theindependent.co.zw/ Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:53 Paul Nyakazeya ZIMBABWE exported 144 million kgs of flue cured tobacco valued at US$393,1 million last year, from 86 815 tonnes valued at US$250 million in the prior year, owing to improved stock and increased capacity utilisation by tobacco processors, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board …

Crisis as Zimbabwe faces ‘disastrous’ farming season

Crisis as Zimbabwe faces ‘disastrous’ farming season http://www.theindependent.co.zw/ Thursday, 12 January 2012 17:30 Owen Gagare ZIMBABWE faces a major humanitarian crisis with the Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) and other farming organisations projecting a 1,5 million tonne maize deficit in the 2011/12 agricultural season. A survey by Agritex estimated that 247 000 hectares of maize was planted countrywide …

Zvimba Farmers Fear Food Shortages

Zvimba Farmers Fear Food Shortages http://www.radiovop.com/ By Criswell Chisango Zvimba, January 12, 2012 – Farmers here, which is home to President Robert Mugabe, are facing various challenges ranging from an unpredictable rainfall pattern which has seen floods in some areas to vandalism of irrigation pipes, raising fears of another year of food shortages. The unpredictable rainfall pattern has seen …