41 000 benefit from Presidential inputs in Chipinge

GOVERNMENT has started the disbursement of inputs under the Presidential Inputs Scheme which saw over 41 000 households in Chipinge receiving their share ahead of the summer cropping season.

The gesture comes at a time when small-scale farmers in the district were finding it difficult to purchase inputs which were being priced beyond their reach.

A 10kg bag of seed maize is retailing at $400 while a bag of fertiliser costs between $650 and $750.

Through the scheme, each household received 10kg of seed maize, 1x50kg top dressing, 1x50kg compound D fertiliser and chemicals to combat the notorious fall armyworm.

is also helping the some resource GMB poor farmers with transport to ferrying the inputs to different wards.

Chipinge assistant district administrator Mr Tedious Beto confirmed the development and said all the intended beneficiaries will receive their share of inputs.

“Yes, I can confirm that 41 400 households in Chipinge have received inputs this week under the Presidential Inputs Scheme,” he said.

“GMB vehicles are helping some farmers to transport the inputs to the wards while other inputs are being delivered through the community initiatives.

“We hope small-scale farmers, who have not yet received, will get their share before the farming season begins. Government has made it sure that the inputs reach the beneficiaries who were thoroughly vetted by extension officers. So far only a few households are yet to receive the inputs,” he added.

Chipinge Rural District Council Ward 6 representative, Clr Phenious Muzamana hailed the Government for providing inputs on time.

“Yes, we started receiving Presidential inputs last week and this gesture comes at a time when farmers were failing to buy the inputs because of exorbitant prices being charged by retailers. We hope the scheme will help all smallholder farmers to adequately prepare for the summer cropping season as they received the inputs on time,” he said.