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Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
THE Government has started distributing agricultural inputs to urban and peri-urban farmers in Bulawayo Province under the Presidential Input Scheme.

Matabeleland North provincial Agritex officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni yesterday said the distribution of the agricultural inputs, which was traditionally for rural areas, was cascading down to urban areas after it was realised that food insecurity levels were also high in towns and cities.

“Traditionally the Presidential Input Scheme has been targeting vulnerable households in rural areas within eight of the country’s 10 provinces. We made an assessment and realised that due to unemployment more people in urban areas needed assistance to survive.

“We also realised that urban agriculture was making significant contribution in improving livelihoods. Some people have pieces of land, where they can produce at least one or two tonnes of maize and are able to feed their families.” said Mr Nyoni.

He said a request was presented to the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to consider supporting people involved in urban and peri-urban farming in Harare and Bulawayo and it was accepted.

“I’m happy that Government listened and residents in Bulawayo are receiving agricultural inputs so that they can be able to produce food for their families. The quantity of the inputs distributed to individuals depends on the size of their pieces of land. The fertiliser will help improve their crop. Those with smaller fields will share,” said Mr Nyoni.

He said his department was working with departments in other ministries, the President’s Office and residents to distribute the inputs.

“We assisted each other as different departments to identify deserving recipients and we’re trying to be thorough. The farmers are also helping us by organising themselves so that it’s easy to distribute the inputs to productive people.

“We hope to continue assisting residents if resources are available,” said Mr Nyoni.

He encouraged residents to consult the Bulawayo City Council before embarking on farming activities so that they don’t plant their crops on undesignated areas.

“There are areas where the city council doesn’t allow residents to carry out farming activities, especially near stream banks because the environment has to be protected.  Residents should therefore check with the council first before they waste resources,” said Mr Nyoni. — @pamelashumba1