via Less than half of Govt inputs distributed Sunday, 24 November 2013 by Faith Mhandu Sunday Mail
Only 40 percent of inputs sourced under the Presidential Inputs Scheme have been distributed so far, amid revelations that logistical challenges are choking the smooth flow of the process.
Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Deputy Minister responsible for crops and irrigation Cde Davis Marapira revealed that moving fertiliser was proving a challenge due to the bulky nature of the input.
“All parts of the country have received an average of 40 percent of the allocated amount of inputs and right now we are moving around the country assessing inputs distribution centres,” he said.
Cde Marapira said fertiliser distribution was still lagging behind since it was bulky and could not be moved as fast as seed which comes in smaller packages.
The revelations come at a time seed houses are disclosing that they have supplied the market with enough seed as the nation hopes for better fortunes in the 2013/14 summer cropping season.
Seed Co managing director Mr Dennis Zaranyika said his company has already shifted half of its stock into the market.
“We have distributed around 12 000 metric tonnes of seed across the country and so far the market is fine since the peak of our marketing season has just started,” he said.
Pannar Seed Zimbabwe managing director Mr Temba Nkataza noted that seed uptake was still slow as most individual farmers were failing to buy seed due to a lack of funding.
“Although we are hoping that the situation will improve as the country is now receiving more rains, it’s clear that individual farmers are struggling to buy the seed due to lack of funding,” said Mr Nkataza.
Meanwhile, farmer organisations have urged Government to ensure the speedy distribution of inputs, warning that their failure to meet planting deadlines could hamper harvests.
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