The Sunday Mail
The start of the 2018 summer cropping season was the stuff of nightmares. First, meteorologists said Zimbabwean farmers could expect largely below normal rainfalls. Then there was an unexpected cold spell that befuddled farmers.
When it looked like the weather was becoming a little more predictable, hailstorms hit parts of the country, and violent winds did not make things any easier. And then prices went haywire and the cost of agricultural inputs shot through the roof, throwing farmers’ plans into disarray.
But it has not all been gloomy.
The timely distribution of Government-assisted farm inputs has given hope to farmers who have over the past few months wondered if ever they were going to put a crop in the ground.
The early launch of the 2018/19 Presidential Inputs and Command Agriculture schemes – coupled with good harvests in recent years – mean food security will, at least, be guaranteed.
Suddenly, the late onset of rains this year looks like a blessing as farmers can now prepare their land and put together their inputs.
Mr Wonder Chabikwa, a past president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union, says: “In the past, some farmers could receive inputs as late as December. This year, some farmers got their inputs in July, giving them time to adequately prepare for the season.
“What I like most . . . is that the inputs are distributed on a daily basis and subject to availability. In the past, some officials would delay the distribution, arguing that they would only distribute the inputs when most of them will be in stock.
“Most farmers have already received agro-chemicals and seeds, with fertilisers still trickling in. The supply of fuel has also greatly improved.”
According to Mr Chabikwa, the way the inputs are being distributed makes it difficult for undeserving beneficiaries to lay their hands on them.
“The new system is water-tight. Agricultural extension officers are heavily involved as they make sure that those with offer letters and those that delivered their maize to the Grain Marketing Board get the inputs.
Apart from maize, vegetables and cotton inputs are also included. Other crops getting Government support are sugar beans, cow-peas and soya beans, which are meant to address nutritional needs at household level.
More than 400 000 smallholder cotton farmers are expected to benefit as Government aims at reviving the once vibrant cotton industry.
The cotton inputs package comprises 20kg seed, two bags of basal fertiliser, Compound L and one bag of top dressing and agro-chemicals per household. The Sunday Mail Society recently observed distribution of inputs at Royden Farm, which is under Zvimba district in Mashonaland West province. While farmers were expecting to get 10kg seed maize, 5kg sorghum seed, and 50kg compound D and 50kg top dressing fertilisers each, they got 10kg of soya bean seed and 50kg of top dressing fertiliser.
“Half a loaf is better than nothing, so goes the saying. At least I have a starting point,” said Mr John Hamunyari, one of the recipients.
Mr Hamunyari, however, bemoaned the increase in the cost of tillage.
“Those that own tractors are charging tillage services in United States dollars. They are asking for either US$90 or $200 in bond notes for tilling a hectare. Not many of us can afford this.”
Only two months ago, tillage fees were around $100 per hectare.
Projections by weather experts point to a late start to the 2018/19 summer rains because of the El Niño phenomenon affecting parts of Southern Africa and bringing with it below-normal rainfall. In addition to planting small grains, Mr Chabikwa advises farmers to off-set the effects of El Niño by planting crops at intervals.
“Farmers should dry plant and then plant some of the crops, say, in December when there will be enough moisture. We are likely going to have a short season.”
