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Daniel Mhonda Mutare Correspondent
ABOUT 2 051 tonnes of maize seed have so far been distributed to farmers in the seven districts of Manicaland under the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme for the 2018-19 cropping season.

Manicaland provincial agricultural extension officer Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa told The Herald that she was happy the Presidential Scheme had been rolled out way ahead of the onset of the rainy season, which would give smallholder farmers ample time to prepare.

“President Mnangagwa has made it clear that farmers benefiting from the 2018-2019 Presidential Input Scheme should access their inputs early and we appreciate his foresight.

“This shows that he is very much concerned about national food security and we are grateful for that,” said Mrs Rwambiwa.

She also emphasised the fact that the inputs were meant to benefit everyone despite their various political affiliations.

“Authorities in the province are on high alert following some unconfirmed reports from other wards in the province on some agronomists responsible for the distribution of the inputs who were selecting beneficiaries according to their political affiliation.

“We are also happy that Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba quickly called for a meeting in the area where the reports were coming from to defuse the situation and get things going in a transparent manner,” she said.

Mrs Rwambiwa said it was important for the inputs to be used properly and achieve the desired results.

She also warned farmers against selling the inputs, saying those caught on the wrong side of the law would be prosecuted.

The province has also seen the distribution of a combined total of 14 495 tonnes of different fertiliser brands to farmers.

For Compound D the farmers have so far received 9 116 tonnes, Ammonium Nitrate 5 312 tonnes and urea 67 tonnes. They have also received 41 595 satchets of vegetable seeds, 96 tonnes of soyabeans and 117 tonnes of sorghum seed under the programme.