WASHINGTON DC —
Some farmers in various provinces say they are still not receiving state-sponsored farming inputs which they claim are being distributed along party lines following the launch of a $160 million scheme for the 2013-2014 agricultural season more than a month ago.
Communal farmers in Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Midlands and Manicaland provinces told Studio 7 it is unlikely they will access the inputs.
The farmers said they are finding it hard to raise money to buy maize seed and fertilizer in retail outlets.
They said this is being worsened by the widespread shortage of compound d fertilizer in retail outlets and high prices of maize seed of up to $12 for a 5 kilogramme bag of maize seed.
One of the affected farmers, Chris Sibanda, of Mazviwa area in Zvishavane, Midlands province, said this farming season will be disastrous.
“It is sad that these farming inputs are being distributed along party lines. People don’t grow crops on party lines. No. They want to engage in subsistence farming for the sake of feeding their families and any extras will be sold to the Grain Marketing Board,” said an irate Sibanda.
Communal farmers in Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Midlands and Manicaland provinces told Studio 7 it is unlikely they will access the inputs.
The farmers said they are finding it hard to raise money to buy maize seed and fertilizer in retail outlets.
They said this is being worsened by the widespread shortage of compound d fertilizer in retail outlets and high prices of maize seed of up to $12 for a 5 kilogramme bag of maize seed.
One of the affected farmers, Chris Sibanda, of Mazviwa area in Zvishavane, Midlands province, said this farming season will be disastrous.
“It is sad that these farming inputs are being distributed along party lines. People don’t grow crops on party lines. No. They want to engage in subsistence farming for the sake of feeding their families and any extras will be sold to the Grain Marketing Board,” said an irate Sibanda.