Faith Duri
Communal farmers in Masvingo province have lamented unfair distribution of farming inputs saying it was the reason why most of them are no longer taking part in Pfumvudza programme.
This was revealed by Masvingo ward 13 Agriculture extension officer Siphephile Dewa during a Urea Treatment of Stover and Pfumvudza tour by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr John Basera recently.
“There are 523 households in my ward and 232 managed to participate in pfumvudza, some farmers didn’t participate because they are demotivated saying they will not get inputs as promised.
“It is my hope that the coming of Dr Basera will however give people hope and motivation on government’s commitment towards the programme and will see other farmers who participated receiving their inputs,” said Dewa.
She said those who are part of the programme will get their inputs as they prepare and wait for the rains to put down their seeds.
“The input package for household food production will have 10kg maize seed or alternatively 2kg sorghum seed or 1kg pearl millet, 2kg groundnuts seed or 2kg sunflower or castor bean, 2kg sugar beans.
They will also get one 50kg bag top dressing, 50kg basal, 50kg lime, one-unit fall armyworm chemicals, 200ml bottle of Fipronil each termite control in termite prone areas and post-planting herbicide for three plots,” said Dewa.
She went on to say the programme was also affected by delays in preparing pfumvudza holes by farmers who fail to do it in winter as expected.
“The main challenge we are facing is that our farmers tend to dig their Pfumvudza holes near the farming season of which they are supposed to prepare them during the winter season,” she said.
In his address, Dr Basera said inputs should be distributed fairly and equitably and urged every farmer to take part.
“Distribution must be done fairly and equitably, the inputs have to be properly used for us to achieve the desired results and abuse of the inputs will not be tolerated.
“We advise farmers against selling inputs, audit of inputs will be carried out during distribution to ensure transparency,” said Dr Basera.
Masvingo province is targeting 326 484 beneficiaries of the pfumvudza programme which translates to 1 632 420 plots amounting to 101 863ha.
Of the 105 897 beneficiaries trained so far 42 359 are male while 63 538 are females and 13 360ha have been prepared to date.
