Maravi

(HERALD ZW) Enough maize seed available: Government

Enough maize seed available: Government
Monday, 15 October 2012 00:00
Evelene Taadira Herald Reporter

Government has assured farmers that enough maize seed is available for this year’s agricultural season. In an interview on the sidelines of the Seed Co National Crop Farming Competition last week, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development secretary Mr Ngoni Masoka said Zimbabwe has 64 000 tonnes of maize seed.

“We need only 45 000 tonnes and this means the rest is to be exported,” he said. Mr Masoka said seed had already been distributed to agro-dealers and was ready for delivery to the farmers.

“The seed is already in agro-dealers who have assured us that this year’s summer programme is well co-ordinated, the seed is ready for collection,” he said.

He said Government is holding weekly meetings with stakeholders to maximise preparations for the season.

Mr Masoka said the meetings, which included representatives from the Ministry of Finance, suppliers, agro-dealers and farmer representatives, were meant to ensure a level playing field and enhance production.

“We are making it clear to the stakeholders that as far as seed is concerned it should be delivered to the farmer’s doorstep and they have agreed,” he said.

He said Government had already met with those offering contract farming to ensure that farmers have adequate financial muscle for the season
In Zimbabwe, a 50kg bag of seed is selling for between US$30 and US$40 while in the region, prices are as low as US$15 per bag.

“As Zimbabwe we know that we have the potential of being the breadbasket of Comesa and Africa, as a whole, hence our commitment to those in communal farming,” he said.

Mr Masoka said Government had made it clear that farmers needed profits.

“We have told those offering financial facilities that farmers need to be capacitated, and warned them against leaving farmers to confront Government over funding We are also discussing issues of pricing and have made it clear that farmers have to be left with something after removing costs and that they should be no side marketing,” he said.

Labels: NGONI MASOKA, SEED, SEEDCO

posted by MrK @ 4:29 PM