Pesticides, tick-grease distribution starts

THE distribution of pesticides and tick-grease to farmers under Government climate-proofed agricultural Presidential Inputs Scheme, Pfumvudza, has started in a bid to improve yields and protect the national herd.

Farmers got seed and fertilisers under Pfumvudza to ensure national food security.

Pesticides are expected to help boost yields by eradicating pests such as the fall armyworm and armoured crickets that have decimated yields in previous years, while tick-grease will protect cattle from tick borne diseases.

Most communities in some parts of Mashonaland West province were this year affected when Theileriosis, a cattle disease also known as January Disease. Hundreds of beasts were killed by the disease. Mashonaland West Agritex agronomist, Ms Siyena Makaza, said yesterday that while her ministry was going ahead with the distribution of seed and fertilisers, allocation of pesticides and tick-grease had also commenced in line with Pfumvudza.

“Off head, I can’t give the total number of people that we have so far benefited from the distribution of pesticides, but our teams on the ground are making sure that farmers receive the pesticides that also help to improve yields.

“As we move to distribute the chemicals to all the parts of the province, we also expect farmers to take their time to scout their fields for pests,” she said.

Ms Makaza added that most farmers lost potentially good yields in previous years due to poor pest control, particularly the fall armyworm that feeds mainly on maize crop.