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Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha

Business Reporter
THE Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mike Bimha, has urged fertiliser and seed producers to ensure their products are accessible to farmers in all parts of the country. Bimha said, in a statement yesterday, farmers in the remote districts needed access to fertilisers and seed. “The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is appealing to all fertiliser and seed producers and distribution companies to make sure their products are accessible to farmers in all parts of the country, including those in the outlying areas in preparation for the new planting season,” said Bimha.

With only a few weeks before the cropping season begins, Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president, Wonder Chabikwa said access to inputs was still a major challenge for farmers.

“Inputs still remain a major challenge to farmers who are preparing for the farming season. We’ve engaged seed houses to create partnerships with farmers so that they provide seeds and fertilisers for farmers at cheap prices,” he said.

Chabikwa said the government should also assist farmers with inputs.
“We’ve already approached the Ministry of Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation development for inputs. We’re waiting to hear from the ministry. Commercial farming needs adequate support, in order to produce for the country,” he said.

In his midterm fiscal policy statement Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, said the government will capacitate 1,6 million communal, old resettlement, former small scale purchase areas and A1 households to be self-sufficient in food through provision of agriculture inputs valued at $184,8 million.

He said the inputs package, which will be valued at around $115,5 per household, will comprise of 10 kilogrammes of seed, 50kgs of double compound D, and 50 kgs of Ammonium Nitrate.