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GOVERNMENT has added sunflower on the list of crops under the Pfumvudza inputs package this year as a key strategy for import substitution of crude oil which costs the country about US$240 million in import fees per year.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Resettlement, Professor Obert Jiri las week said the move is aimed at encouraging farmers to take up sunflower production, and move towards crude oil import substitution.

He said this during the official launch of Mutasa Agricultural Show at Magamba Training Centre last week.

“This year on the Pfumvudza package, we have included sunflower seed so that we have oil seed security, and save the nation US$240 million in import fees. That money should be used for other developments, and paying local sunflower farmers. Our drive for import substitution is huge, and we are looking forward to meet all targets so that we have food security everywhere daily,” he said.

Professor Jiri also said value addition of sunflowers can significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imported oil.

“The introduction of sunflower seeds in the Pfumvudza package is a crucial step towards achieving cooking oil security in the country. There are numerous benefits of sunflower farming, including its potential to generate income for farmers, create employment opportunities, and stimulate local economic growth. By promoting sunflower farming, we are, not only improving our food security, but also contributing to the country’s economic stability. Sunflower oil production can become a lucrative industry, with potential for export and foreign currency earnings,” he said.

Professor Jiri urged farmers to take advantage of the Pfumvudza programme, and seize the opportunity to become sunflower oil producers.

“Our goal is to make Zimbabwe self-sufficient in cooking oil production, and we believe sunflower farming is the way forward. We are also driving for food security by substituting importing products that can be produced locally. The country is importing more than 150 000 metric tonnes of rice, so we are urging farmers to also venture into rice farming. The country will save a lot of money from that,” he said.

He said sunflower oil is a healthier alternative to other cooking oils, making it a desirable choice for consumers.

Professor Jiri said Government has put in place programmes to ensure food security, livestock feed security and oil seed security.

“We have put together programmes that will allow us to have a successful summer season, and farmers must prepare accordingly. We have already passed the summer plan which allows us to fully prepare, and preparations for summer cropping should start now.

“The winter wheat is done, and we now must focus on the summer production, which must deliver food, feed and oil seeds securities. We no longer want food insecurity.

“The Pfumvudza programme is continuing. Since we are coming from a drought, every household is vulnerable, and this programme is targeting all vulnerable farmers. As a result, all the three million beneficiaries in rural areas will receive farming inputs,” he said.

Professor Jiri said Government is also targeting 500 000 Pfumvudza beneficiaries in urban and peri-urban areas.

“To ensure resilience building, farmers must prepare three Pfumvudza plots by September 30 for guaranteed food security at the household level through timely planting and climate-proofing. The ministry has already started distributing inputs to holding centres, mainly Grain Marketing Board depots, aimed at timely planting this coming summer season. The thrust of the summer plan is to ensure household food security, and bolster the national strategic grain reserves,” he said.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said there is a remarkable improvement in the allocation, and distribution of agricultural inputs, enabling farmers to plan and plant early in the province.

“We have fully embraced the Pfumvudza farming concept, and as I speak farmers are already preparing their fields for the upcoming farming season,” he said. – Manica Post