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The inputs are meant to assist A2 farmers who have not been benefiting from the previous support schemes.

Speaking at a Seed Co National Crop Farming Competition handover ceremony in Chiweshe, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, said negotiations for the support scheme were at an advanced stage.

“It is hoped that these discussions will be finalised soon, in a manner that should give impetus to ongoing efforts to restore Zimbabwe’s status as the breadbasket, not only in the region but throughout Africa,” he said.
Dr Sibanda said under the scheme, inputs would not be subsidised, but farmers would buy on agreed credit terms.

He encouraged the building of a tripartite partnership between Government, the private sector and farmers to boost the agriculture sector.
“Government alone is not able to spearhead agriculture development, but by working with seed houses and research institutions, it will come up with improved high yielding varieties that are genetically modified,” said Dr Sibanda.

He congratulated Seed Co for introducing the communal farmers’ awards, which began 27 years ago.
The Seed Co national farmer competitions are conducted in communal areas in eight provinces and this year Chiweshe farmer, Mr Ekinos Gombera and his wife Macelyn won the award. The farmer produced an average of nine tonnes per hectare at his eight-hectare plot. He won a tractor, wheelbarrow and two bags of fertilisers.

The local Agritex extension officer who helped him, Ms Letwin Muparaganda, was awarded with a motorbike.
Farmers who are 70 years old and above were presented with a 25kg bag of maize seed each.