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Andile Tshuma, Chronicle Reporter 

FARMERS in Matabeleland North and South have decried erratic diesel supplies which have delayed planting for the season. 

Matabeleland North Provincial Agricultural Technical and Extension Services Department officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni said the inconsistent supply of diesel has affected tillage programmes in the region with the ripple effects likely to affect the previously projected harvest.

“For the past three to four weeks, we have not had consistent supply of diesel and this has grossly affected plans and tillage projects. The Gvernment tillage programme, which is meant for vulnerable communities, has also not been spared. The situation is so bad that some farmers could not even maximise on the recent rains as livestock were too weak for any agricultural activity, it is bad,” he said.

“What makes this situation worse is that many farmers in this region have lost their cattle and the remaining ones are too weak to pull ox-drawn ploughs. There aren’t many alternatives expect for the zero tillage programme which may not be so practical for vast pieces of land.” 

Last month, the Government launched the national tillage programme to support more than 500 000 smallholder farmers countrywide. This was meant to bring relief to farmers especially in drought-ravaged areas where livestock is too weak to be used as draught power.