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Mukudzei Chingwere

Herald Reporter

Government has assured farmers of adequate fertiliser for the Presidential Inputs Programme, while individuals will be allowed to import fertiliser for their own use if need be.

This was said by the Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere at yesterday’s post-Cabinet briefing where he gave an update on the country’s preparations for the 2023/2024 summer cropping season.

He gave an update on the country’s wheat stocks of 231 776 tonnes as of Sunday, which will last 11 months at a monthly drawdown rate of 21 000 tonnes.

“The nation is informed that preparations for the 2023/2024 summer season are well on course. Over 1,9 million farmers have so far been trained under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs Pfumvudza/Intwasa Supply Scheme, while 7,6 million plots have already been prepared.

“Farmers have generally responded positively to climate-proofing interventions for El Nino. There is adequate fertiliser for the Presidential Programme and other schemes. Other farmers can now import fertiliser for their own use following approval by Government,” said Dr Muswere.

He said dryland tobacco planting had slowed down because of the late rains and 40 contractors had registered for tobacco production, with the total indicative area contracted at 148 000 hectares.

Dr Muswere said to date, a total of 31 681 hectares of tobacco had been planted, representing a 4,6 percent increase above last year during the same period.

“Pertaining to cotton, Cabinet wishes to advise the public that a total of 11 contractors have indicated their intention to contract farmers this season.

“The Agricultural Marketing Authority has completed the induction of Common Input Distribution Point Clerks across the country.

“The targeted production is 271 286 hectares by 400 786 farmers with an estimated volume of 130-140 000 tonnes.”

“Presidential Climate-Proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa Cotton Programme and inputs distribution will utilise established GMB channels and committees at ward level with the usual ward committees. 

“A monitoring system through AGRITEX has been introduced to monitor Pfumvudza/Intwasa from planting through to marketing,” said Dr Muswere.

He informed the nation that the Grain Marketing Board stocks as of Sunday for maize and traditional grains stood at 194 429 tonnes and 47 477 tonnes respectively.

“Wheat stocks of 231 776 tonnes as at November 19, 2023 will last 11 months at a monthly drawdown rate of 21 000 tonnes,” said Dr Muswere.

“The monthly consumption for grains is now estimated at 23 000 tonnes comprising 20 000 tonnes maize for millers, and 3 000 tonnes sorghum for stock feed manufacturers.

“Regarding the summer crops marketing update, the nation is informed that the GMB intake was 39 percent market share of all the marketed crops with 47 percent share of maize, 7,3 percent of soya bean, 41 percent of sunflower and 64 percent of traditional grains.

“Government is expediting the settlement of outstanding payments due to farmers. Pertaining to winter wheat, a record 90 192 hectares were planted, with 89 932ha harvested to date, yielding 467 333 tonnes at an average yield of 5,2 tonnes per hectare which is another record achieved under the Second Republic,” said Dr Muswere.