GMB primed for Presidential Inputs Scheme

GMB primed for Presidential Inputs Scheme – The Sunday Mail 12 October 2014

Grain Marketing Board depots countrywide are scheduled to begin dispensing maize seed and fertilisers to small-scale farmers under the Presidential Well-Wishers Agriculture Input Scheme by month-end.

Over 1,6 million households will benefit from the initiative.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira said: “We are already mobilising the inputs and our focus is on small-holder and A1 farmers. I cannot give the quantities we have lined up at the moment since we are still putting resources together. The seed and fertilisers will be distributed through GMB and Agritex.”

Private input suppliers have also assured farmers of adequate stocks.

Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company managing director Mr Richard Dafana said, “We have imported top dressing fertiliser to augment local supplies. The company’s distribution network, made up of depots, stockists, retail shops and rural agro-dealers, is well-stocked. ZFC urges farmers to plan and prepare early for the season.”

An official with Pannar Seed said the company had ample maize seed.

However, Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa feared many farmers could fail to purchase inputs on the open market due to liquidity problems.

“Inputs are readily available, but farmers will struggle to purchase them because they do not have money. Those who received payments from GMB stand a better chance,” he said.

Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union president Mr Abdul Nyathi added: “Farmers should take farming as a business and help each other to buy inputs not to only rely on the Presidential Well-Wishers Agriculture Input Scheme and banks, which are not lending money to farmers.”