Maravi

(HERALD) Ministry launches agro inputs scheme

Ministry launches agro inputs scheme
By Perry Kaande

THE Ministry of Industry and International Trade, in consultation with stakeholders, has set up an Agro Inputs Scheme which seeks to make available fertilisers and chemicals to farmers at affordable prices, Vice President Joice Mujuru has said. In a speech read on her behalf by Agriculture Minister, Mr Rugare Gumbo at the launch of the Soya Company of Zimbabwe last week, she said the scheme in tandem with the Farm Mechanisation Programme would contribute to increased productivity and overall transformation of the agricultural sector.

"Tobacco farmers are the first beneficiaries of the scheme and this will be extended to other farmers," she said.

A 50-kilogram bag of fertiliser now ranges between US$10 and US$20 when available and herbicides such as Atrazene cost $76 trillion and $167 trillion for 10 litres and 20 litres respectively.

She highlighted that the programmes would also create opportunities for agro-processing and employment across the sectors.

She called on the corporate sector to partner Government in improving production in the agricultural sector.

"We need to improve food sufficiency and security as well as eradicate poverty as a nation. I believe that if business forges alliances with farmers even those in communal areas we can transform the economic landscapes in this country," she said.

Government has continued to consolidate the Land Reform Programme through the Farm Mechanization Programme that seeks to increase farmers’ access to agricultural equipment. The private sector also has been instrumental in promulgating various activities to foster production through contract farming for a variety of crops. Cotton, soya beans, barley, maize and more recently horticultural produce, are the main agricultural products targeted by contractors.

The looming global food crisis has added impetus to the need for proper planning, use of infrastructure and financial resources to raise production in line with market preferences.

In the first quarter monetary policy statement, central bank governor Dr Gideon Gono said it had become necessary that further support to farmers under the Agricultural Sector Productivity Enhancement Facility be anchored on individual farmer productivity, especially given the significant uplift in the producer prices to farmers.

Consequently in the 2008 season, applying farmers were expected to support their bids by evidence of actual past performance and demonstration that income has been reinvested in farming programmes.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, ASPEF, FERTILIZER, SOYA, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 4:55 AM