Midlands Bureau Chief
GOVERNMENT has started distributing farming inputs to farmers in the Midlands province under the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme for the 2018-19 season. Launching the scheme in Mazvihwa Village, Zvishavane on Thursday, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Owen Ncube said President Mnangagwa had directed that the programme starts early to facilitate planting with first rains so as to record bumper harvests.

“The President Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has directed that all farmers who are beneficiaries to the 2018-2019 Presidential Input Scheme should access their inputs early. This is to facilitate planting with first rains so as to get bumper harvests, to feed our nation. His Excellency has directed that hunger should never be found in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Cde Ncube said early distribution of inputs shows our Government’s commitment to support farmers by availing critical production inputs that will result in increased productivity.

“It is important that the inputs are used properly for us to achieve the desired benefits. All farmers here present, should make good use of these inputs in the fields not in the market. If you are caught selling these inputs, definitely you will be prosecuted,” he said.

Each farmer, Cde Ncube said was going to get one by 50kg bag of Ammonium Nitrate, one by 50kg bag of Compound D and 10 kg of maize seed.

“Today you will get fertilizer and the maize seed as it is in stock,” he said.
“Farmers, after receiving your inputs here today, make sure that you will be in the fields’ tomorrow morning for land preparation. Keep your crops weed free, pest free and disease free for competent yields.”

Cde Ncube said the issue of climate change and climate variability also has serious impact on productivity and Government is working on a number of initiatives, which include irrigation rehabilitation and development.

“The Presidential Inputs Scheme is complementary to Command Agriculture. The scheme is meant to enable smallholder farmers to become food secure as well as address nutritional requirements at household level,” he said.
Cde Ncube said the scheme will also include soya beans, sugar beans, and cow-peas.

“Vegetables such as cabbages, carrots and rape which are meant to address nutritional needs at household level are also introduced. The cotton input package has also been added in the scheme. All of you will get inputs. Let us all do our part,” he said. Such good programmes, the Minister of State said are a result of the good governance under the leadership of the new dispensation.

“Thus you are all called upon to go and cast your vote on July 30. Your vote will ensure that good governance prevails. You have already done your primary elections in a free, fair, transparent, non-violent and free environment,” said Cde Ncube.

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