| US$1,2m worth of inputs available at GMB
Herald Reporter More than 4 200 tonnes of seed maize and 80 tonnes of fertilisers, worth US$1,2 million, are ready for collection from selected Grain Marketing Board depots countrywide. In an interview on Monday, GMB corporate and communications officer Mr Joseph Katete said the inputs were leftovers from the previous farming season. He said Government was still to launch an inputs scheme for the 2010/11 summer cropping season. “These inputs, which are heavily subsidised, are leftovers from last farming season and it is important for farmers to check with their depots for more information. “Considering that a significant amount of inputs are available before the 2010/11 cropping season, every farmer will have enough inputs before the onset of the rains,” he said. Mr Katete said preparations for the forthcoming season were on course. He said grain deliveries were ongoing, with the figures as of last Friday standing at 130 975 tonnes. This is more than double last season’s 60 000 tonnes. Mr Katete said weekly deliveries rose from 13 906 tonnes to 19 851 tonnes, the highest so far this marketing season. “We are encouraging farmers to deliver maize with the right moisture content of 12, 5 percent,” he said. Mr Katete said almost half of the maize delivered to the GMB had been paid for and at least US$19, 3 million was needed for the remainder. Mr Katete said farmers would be notified as soon as Treasury made the money available. GMB is buying a tonne of maize for US$275. |