‘Register early for inputs scheme’

Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri hands over inputs to beneficiaries under the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme at Alabama Farm in Chakari recently

Farmers have been urged to register for assistance under the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme in the 2018-19 agricultural season, amid indications that Government is targeting to assist 1,8 million households with maize and sorghum inputs under the scheme.

An additional 400 000 households will access inputs to grow cotton under the same scheme.

Speaking at the official opening of the Mazowe Valley Agricultural Show in Bindura last week, guest of honour and Freda Rebecca Gold Mine general manager Mr Eliakem Hove said in previous seasons, farmers used to get low yields due to delays in the distribution of inputs.

He urged those who had not registered to do so to facilitate early planning in the 2018 /19 season.

“This year, the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme is even bigger, targeting approximately 1,8 million households for maize/sorghum and each household getting 10kg seed maize, 5kg sorghum seed, one bag Compound D and one bag top dressing fertiliser,” he said.

“For cotton, 400 000 households are being targeted, each beneficiary getting 20kg cotton seed, two bags Compound L and one bag to top dressing fertiliser as well as chemicals for pests and disease control.

“Smallholder farmers contribute at least 60 percent of the country’s annual cereal production and as such it is important to provide them with adequate support to ensure that our country is food secure.”

Mr Hove urged farmers to desist from selling their maize to private buyers for as low as $200 per tonne and deliver it to the Grain Marketing Board, which is buying the same tonne for $390.

He said it was unfortunate that the province experienced an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Rushinga District.