Joint Venture to expand inputs scheme

via Joint Venture to expand inputs scheme | The Herald 6 November 2014

The Joint Venture, a company owned by the ZANU-PF Youth League and Lasch Enterprises which recently launched a $2,4 billion agricultural revolving fund, on Tuesday said it is now targeting to expand its inputs scheme programme to provision of farming implements.

The company was launched in July this year with an agricultural input scheme programme targeting at least 800 000 farmers. Companies supporting the scheme include Hamilton Insurance, First Mutual Limited, Pannar Seeds and fertiliser manufacturer Nico Orgo.

Speaking at a function to disburse the second batch of agricultural inputs, ZANU-PF Youth League deputy secretary and Makoni West MP Shadreck Chipanga urged beneficiaries to pay for inputs they received last year to ensure continuity of the revolving fund. Mr Chipange said the company was now also providing inputs for other crops including tobacco and beans after starting with maize only.

“With time as the fund and the programme grow, we shall be giving you livestock to rear,” he said.

Beneficiaries eligible to access the scheme would be identified with the assistance of extension workers who would verify that the farmers owned land and had been producing in the past.

Identified farmers would not only benefit from the input scheme, but would also receive technical assistance from extension workers while a

ready market was available for their produce.

The joint venture company was formed in an effort to promote farming business in Zimbabwe and steer economic development. – New Ziana.