$2,4 billion agric fund launched Dr Joseph Made
Dr Joseph Made

Dr Joseph Made

Harare Bureau
THE government has urged farmers to surpass the target of two million tonnes of maize projected in the Zim-Asset economic blueprint for the 2014/2015 agricultural season following the launch of a $2,4 billion agriculture fund yesterday.The fund, which is set to benefit thousands of farmers countrywide, is a joint venture initiative between a local organisation, Lasch Enterprises and the Zanu-PF Youth League, with assistance from various government ministries to help address youth unemployment and food security.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said in a statement read on his behalf at the launch by his deputy Cde Davis Marapira that the country would be self-sufficient and able to export the surplus under the guiding vision of “Towards an Empowered and Growing Economy.”

“This joint venture crop input scheme complements the 2014/2015 agricultural season government crop and livestock input scheme to support small holder farmers who are the cornerstone (99 percent) of our agriculture in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“This programme is targeted to support 1,6 million households with crop or livestock input packs to stimulate production of key food and nutrition security crops.”

Dr Made said maize, small grains, sugarbeans/cowpeas, cotton and livestock were set to benefit from the Lasch/Zanu-PF Youth League agricultural fund.

He said the government was concerned with the low average national yield of 0,59 metric tonnes per hectare for maize.

Dr Made said with the support from government, developmental partners and the private sector in the form of seed, fertilisers and extension services, improvements in crop yields in various farming sectors would be achieved.

“Food security and nutrition as a strategy under Zim-Asset begins with farmers working hand-in-hand with input suppliers and companies like this joint venture,” he said. “I’m informed that farmers need to pay administration and insurance fees for them to register and access inputs.

“The loans do not attract any interest, but should be religiously paid back after harvest. I would like to urge our farmers to pay back their loans so that the loans revolve and can have greater impact on the agricultural economy.”

Senior Minister of State in the President’s Office, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, said through the joint venture, the Youth League had chosen to show detractors the correct path.

“The joint venture has proposed what some would view as an audacious and very ambitious mission – to be the renowned vehicle for successful sourcing, providing and extending agricultural loans and inputs to all farmers in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Minister Moyo said Zim-Asset required that all organisations and private companies devise strategies and operational plans that contribute to the strategic goals proposed in the economic blueprint.

Lasch Enterprises managing director Evans Zininga said it was their hope that support for the scheme would go a long way in uniting Zimbabweans in farming.

 

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