Maravi

(HERALD) $30m inputs for farmers

$30m inputs for farmers
By Farirai Machivenyika and Elita Chikwati

Government has awarded tenders to local firms for the supply of farming inputs to 400 000 families under a US$30 million facility for the 2010/2011 farming season. An additional 560 000 farmers will get donor assistance, bringing to 960 000 the number of families expected to benefit from the two facilities.

The schemes target communal, old rese-ttlement, A1 and small-scale farmers. Large-scale and A2 farmers will be catered for by an Agribank loan facility.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made made the revelations while answering questions in the House of Assembly on the state of preparedness for the forthcoming farming season.

"I have met with industry, that is fertiliser and seed manufacturers, and have already awarded tenders for supply of inputs to over 400 000 families that will benefit from the US$30 million facility," he said.

The companies awarded tenders to supply maize seed include Seed Co Zimbabwe, Pannar (Private) Limited, Pioneer Zimbabwe, Agpy and Agri Seeds.

Prime Seeds, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority and AgriSeeds will supply sorghum seed.

Windmill and ZFC will supply fertilisers and are already importing the commodity to cater for the deficit.

Minister Made said donors would provide additional support.

"The donors will support a further 560 000 families and what is left is support for the A2 farmers.

"The Minister of Finance (Tendai Biti) has, however, assured me that he will soon put up a facility for A2 farmers through Agribank."

The minister said beneficiaries under the US$30 million facility would pay for the inputs through a voucher system.

Those without cash would access them through public works programmes.

"All inputs distributed this year are not for free. They will be distributed through GMB and will be paid for; even those distributed through donors either through a voucher system or food for work programme," Minister Made said.

Households will each get 50kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, 50kg of compound D fertiliser, and 10kg maize seed or 5kg of small grain seed.

In an interview afterwards, Minister Made warned farmers against abusing the input schemes.

"Government is asking for full co-operation to ensure inputs are distributed fairly and there is no double dipping," he said.

He said the Agriculture, Local Govern-ment and Social Welfare ministries would monitor distribution, with GMB and Agritex officials involved.

"No NGO shall give inputs at night or outside the structures of the local authorities.

"I want to warn that Government will not accept what happened last year where there was selective distribution, resulting in others failing to get inputs."

He urged banks to support farmers.

"As Minister of Agriculture, I feel banks must be comprehensive in supporting farmers because we are anticipating a good season," he said.

Under normal circumstances, Zimbabwe requires about 600 000 tonnes of fertilisers for a successful season.

So far, 30 000 tonnes of top-dressing fertilisers have been imported in addition to the 120 000 tonnes manufactured locally.

Of the local production, 60 000 are compound D and the remainder are top-dressing fertilisers.

There is, however, a shortfall of 200 000 tonnes of top dressing and 170 000 tonnes of compound D fertilisers.

Speaking on behalf of the fertiliser industry, Windmill chief executive officer Mr George Rondogo said they required about US$185 million to import more of the commodity.

"Funding has been the major challenge affecting fertiliser production and importation.

"There is a low uptake of the fertilisers in retail outlets and this has worsened the situation," he said.

The prices for subsidised fertilisers for this coming season have not been set but during the winter season, a 50kg bag cost US$15.

The cost on the open market is between US$29 and US$32 and farmers have complained that the prices are too high.

Fertilisers are heavily subsidised in other countries, with a 50kg bag going for less than US$10 in Malawi. This has partly seen Malawi becoming a net exporter of grain.

Labels: 2011 BUDGET (ZIMBABWE), A1 FARMERS, A2 FARMERS, JOSEPH MADE

posted by MrK @ 2:06 PM