Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief

A total of 921 farmers in Midlands province have benefited from the free tillage programme targeting smallholders.

The programme which was launched last December in Lower Gweru is being implemented by the District Development Fund (DDF).

In an interview yesterday, DDF Midlands province land development officer Mr Fanuel Mkwananzi said the programme was ongoing.

“To date we have done 460,5 hectares that has benefited 921 smallholder farmers or villagers. This is an ongoing programme and more are going to benefit from this programme that is aimed at ensuring food security and nutrition,” he said.

Mr Mkwananzi said DDF has been to all the districts.

“Small holder famers in Kwekwe, Mvuma, Gweru, Shurugwi, Zvishavane, Mberengwa, Gokwe North and South districts have benefited,” he said.

Mr Mkwananzi said they were facing shortage of fuel and tractors.

“Government paid for fuel but we are failing to access it from some service stations and that derails the programme. Some of our tractors have broken down and we are in the process of getting them fixed and that too has affected the smooth running of the programme. We need more fuel because 1 ha consumes about 32litres of diesel and therefore the need for continuous fuel supplies so that we don’t stop tilling the land for the farmers,” he said.

Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Larry Mavima said Government is assisting small holder farmers to ensure food security.

Minister Mavima said the tillage programme is coming at a time when most farmers had received their inputs under the Presidential Input Scheme.

“Government has noted that some small holder farmers are incapacitated to plant their crops and has come up with this noble idea which is coming at no cost for the villagers,” he said.

The Minister said Government availed $8, 5 million for the programme nationally.