(HERALD) Farmers call for more affordable fertilizer prices
Farmers call for more affordable fertilizer pricesBusiness Reporters
THERE has been a lukewarm reception to the recent reduction of fertilizer prices by almost 20 percent with most farmers calling for further reductions.
Farmers interviewed at the Harare Agricultural Show implored authorities to reduce the price to a more affordable amount.
A 50kg bag of either Ammonium Nitrate or Compound D fertilizer from Windmill is now priced at US$27, a drop from US$34.
Zimbabwe Fertilizer Company has also reduced its prices for a bag of either Compound D or AN from US$34 to US$27,50.
Some of the farmers exhibiting at this year’s Harare Agricultural Show expressed their displeasure at the new prices citing the "insignificance of the reduced amount to overall production".
Mrs Irene Musakwa a farmer from Murehwa said farmers were expecting a higher percentage cut in price of more than 50 percent to at least US$15 per bag of fertilizer.
"The farming season we are coming from has been difficult as fertilizer prices were beyond the reach of many farmers.
"We were expecting the price to go down to at least US$15 — a price that is more affordable to every farmer.
"Given the amount we use in acquiring inputs in relation to what we get after selling our maize grain, we do not stand any chance of making profitable business as farmers if these prices are not reduced further," said Mrs Musakwa.
Another farmer, Farai Musengi from Chegutu reiterated the same sentiments of a further reduction in fertilizer prices and called on the Government to assist farmers by addressing such issues.
He also pleaded with the Grain Marketing Board to increase the floor parity price for maize to at least US$400 per tonne to maximise grain stocks in the country. The parity price for maize offered by the GMB is currently set at US$265 per tonne.
"As farmers, we appreciate the role played by the GMB but it has had its own share of shortcomings.
"Other players have taken advantage of the fact that the parastatal does not pay cash direct while private buyers offer cash at point of sale tempting us to go for quick money for our hard earned produce.
"If the GMB could increase the price per tonne up to about US$400 per tonne from the current US$265, I am sure every farmer in the land would desist from selling their grain to private maize buyers," said Mr Musengi.
Analysts have however cited that prices could continue on the downward trend given that the price of potash that is used in the manufacturing of fertilizer has also gone down.
Fertilizer companies have also been partly forced to adopt the move by the slow uptake of the product by farmers who are finding it difficult to raise money for inputs.
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW, FERTILIZER, HARARE AGRICULTURAL SHOW, ZIMBABWE FERTILIZER COMPANY
posted by MrK @ 3:56 PM
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