‘Farmers want Command Agric inputs early’

FARMERS in Zaka have called for the speedy distribution of inputs under the Command Agriculture programme, as the majority of them have completed land preparation ahead of the 2017-2018 farming season.

In an interview, Zaka District Agritex officer Mr Servious Makumbe said most farmers had finished land preparations and were waiting for the distribution of the inputs.

He indicated that most of the land had loamy soils that readily give in to water-logging, hence the need for them to plant their crops early to ensure better yields.

“Farmers here are ready to receive inputs under the Presidential Well-Wishers Scheme,” said Mr Makumbe. “Most of them have tilled their land and are ready to partake in the farming season.

“Most of the crops in the district do well when planted early, hence our plea for Government to distribute the inputs early. Some farmers were allocated inputs late last year and they could not use them owing to water-logging.

“Most of the land here is loamy soil, a type of soil which is easily affected by water-logging. As such, we are calling for the Government to distribute inputs early so that farmers plant their crops early.’’

About 14 000 farmers in Zaka have registered to benefit from the Presidential Well-Wishers Inputs Support Scheme, which is targeting small-scale farmers by supplying them with inputs like seed, fertiliser and chemicals.

The Presidential Well-Wishers Inputs Support Scheme, the Command Agriculture scheme and good rains last season were credited for making sure that Zimbabwe realised a bumper harvest.