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(TALKZIMBABWE) Govt to secure fertiliser, chemicals from China loan

Govt to secure fertiliser, chemicals from China loan
TZG/Herald reporters
Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:31:00 +0000

PART of the US$950 million loan facility secured from China will concentrate on providing fertilizer, animal drugs and crop chemicals that are in short supply in Zimbabwe, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made has said.

In an interview with the Herald yesterday, Dr Made said his ministry had already sent fertilizer and chemical specifications to the Chinese government for the country’s requirements for the coming season.

"A huge portion of the agriculture component of the China facility will go into sourcing of fertilizer, animal drugs and crop chemicals. It will also target seed producing farmers so that demand for seed does not outgrow what the country will have in stock," he was quoted as saying.

"The money will seek to increase livestock production through, not only increased growing of white maize for human consumption but also yellow maize for stock feeds.

"The stock feeds will be used in efforts to improve piggery, poultry and dairy production in Zimbabwe.

"This is all part of the ministry’s holistic way of improving the country’s agriculture sector," the minister said.

Zimbabwe received a US$950 million loan from China that will be available in tranches to assist the country in health, education, energy and agriculture, among other sectors.

The money is part of a US$5 billion bridging gap finance to assist Zimbabwe turn around its economy.

Although Finance Minister Tendai Biti has denied that such a facility had been provided, President Mugabe told reporters last week that the facility had been negotiated before the formation of the inclusive Government.

He said China had been an all-weather friend to Zimbabwe providing loans that were not attached to any conditionalities as those promised by Western countries.

Zimbabwe's relations with the West soured after a bilateral dispute between Zimbabwe and Britain took an international twist.

Britain is blamed for turning a bilateral dispute with Zimbabwe onto the global arena.

Labels: CREDIT FACILITIES, FERTILIZER, JOSEPH MADE, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 6:17 PM