Maravi

(HERALD) Farmers now collecting agric inputs

Farmers now collecting agric inputs
Agriculture Reporter

FARMERS have started collecting fertilizer and seed from Grain Marketing Board depots countrywide after successfully applying for vouchers from local financial institutions. Banks that have begun assisting the farmers are CBZ, FBC and Agribank.

Over 3 170 tonnes of Compound D fertilizer, 28 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate, 248 tonnes of Urea, 127 135 tonnes of maize seed and two tonnes of sorghum seed have been collected by farmers under the loan scheme.

The Government announced a US$210 million loan facility for the 2009/10 summer cropping season, where farmers collect vouchers from banks after applying for the money using immovable properties as collateral.

Although cattle and movable assets have been approved as collateral, investigations have revealed that such people were not among the first batch of beneficiaries.

GMB public relations manager Mrs Muriel Zemura confirmed that farmers had started collecting inputs using vouchers.

"The problem is now with supplies as fertilizer are running out at most GMB depots across the country. At least there should be more deliveries of the inputs to GMB depots for farmers to access them on time," she said.

Mrs Zemura said Mashonaland Central Province had received 2 264 tonnes of Compound D fertilizer and 1 237,5 tonnes had been collected by the farmers, 197 tonnes of urea of the 260 tonnes that had been distributed, had already been collected.

She said 34 tonnes of maize seed had been collected from the 548 tonnes distributed.

A total of 55 tonnes of sorghum were received at GMB depots in Mashonaland Central but none

Labels: FERTILIZER, GRAIN MARKETING BOARD

posted by MrK @ 1:05 AM