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Elita Chikwati Harare Bureau
Preparations for the 2016-17 summer cropping season have started with the Government coming up with programmes to boost national food security and reduce grain imports.

The programmes include production of 200, 000 hectares of maize under irrigation, cotton support and the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme for 1,6 million households. Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said the irrigated maize programme is targeting lessening grain importation.

He said the Government was at an advanced stage of implementing the programme with assistance from the Food and Nutrition Committee chaired by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“The first stage was identification of the inputs required for the programme. We require, seed, fertilisers and also lime which is required by farmers to correct their soil pH. We’re glad that all seed houses have indicated that they are ready to supply any seed requirements for this specialised programme.

“Identification of farmers to be included in the programme is underway at the moment. We’re going to meet with fertiliser suppliers. We’re always falling short of fertilisers, but I’m happy that several companies indicated they are holding on to stocks of fertilisers,” he said.

Dr Made said irrigation equipment was important in the success of the programme.

“The major issue is the financing aspect on irrigation rehabilitation. It’s critical because for the targeted programme to be viable, irrigation should be functional 100 percent.

“Funding is also required for the general machinery and equipment. Tractors are required for the programme,” he said.

Dr Made said farmers who will be involved in the maize specialised programme will be required to sign contracts concerning the expected performance in terms of yields. The farmers will be expected to achieve the expected yields.

“Next season we will go into the second year of funding cotton production in the respective areas to give capacity to farmers. This time, the programme will run under Cottco with assistance from the Agricultural Marketing Authority and Government extension officers.

“Cottco is currently buying cotton across the country and they should move with speed just as we prepare for food production, AMA and Cottco should also be working on preparing cotton inputs for the next season,” he said.

The Presidential Inputs Scheme which has been running for years will also continue next year to ensure household food security. Dr Made said 1,6 million households will be assisted.

“Each household should be assisted with inputs for a hectare, while about 350 000 to 400 000 households will be given inputs for a hectare each of cotton.

Farmers, on the other hand, have also started preparations for the next season with others already procuring seed and fertilisers.