By Perpetua Murungweni
MASVINGO – A delay in the issuance of a critical government Statutory Instrument (SI) for duty-free importation is at the center of a severe shortage of Ammonium Nitrate (AN) top-dressing fertilizer in Masvingo, threatening a promising agricultural season.
The crisis unfolds despite ideal farming conditions, with the Meteorological Services Department forecasting excellent rains this season.
Farmers are now scrambling for limited fertilizer stocks that has led to a sharp increase in price, as crops enter a crucial growth stage
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Professor Dr. Obert Jiri, confirmed the regulatory delay as the primary cause of the shortage.
“The temporary shortages of top dressing fertilizer has been caused by the delay in issuance of the necessary Statutory Instrument for duty free importation,” said Prof Jiri.
He added that festive season logistics further worsened the problem but said they expected improvement in a few days’ time.
“The festive season also temporarily disrupted logistics. We should see the situation normalize in the next few days as supplies improve,” he said.
However, the immediate scarcity has left farmers worried as the rains continue to fall. A local shop manager explained that supply chain failures are exacerbating the situation.
“We are failing to get stock from our suppliers that’s why the local supply is erratic. Another challenge is that one major fertilizer producer downscaled its production and the gap is yet to be filled,” said the manager.
The shortage is specifically for AN fertilizer, while basal fertilizers like Compound D and C remain available. Gypsum, used for groundnuts, is also scarce.
Market surveys show empty shelves at traditional suppliers, with prices for AN jumping from about US$38 in late 2025 to between US$45 and US$50 per 50kg bag especially from informal suppliers and dealers.
Chiredzi District Agritex Officer, Tongai Bodi, confirmed the erratic supply in Chiredzi District and urged farmers to find alternative means to save the crops.
“Farmers should use alternatives in the wake of fertilizer shortage and use organic manure or foliar sprays. They can also form groups to buy in bulky and ease transport challenges as other provinces have constant supply,” said Bodi.
Others are of the view that the supply failure is partly attributed to the government’s reduced role in input distribution. In previous years, the presidential input scheme supplied fertilizers and seeds to communal farmers, which also stabilized the market as beneficiaries would sell surplus at lower prices. The scale-back of the programme has increased commercial demand, a surge that suppliers have failed to meet.
Available stock, found primarily at outlets in Masvingo Town like Menomaviri and Masvingo Hardware, is selling out rapidly.
A delivery of 50kg bags at Masvingo Hardware on the morning of Monday, January 5, was completely sold out by midday.
