Staff Reporter
The government is targeting to produce a minimum of 2.5 million tonnes of grain this summer cropping season, as distribution of inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme gets into full swing.
This Saturday, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Honourable Vangelis Haritatos, toured one of the major input distributors in Ruwa, Valley Seeds, to assess progress in the distribution of inputs under the Presidential Inputs Distribution Scheme.
The government remains confident about its potential and thrust to ensure food security and create a more resilient agricultural sector.
“The programme is in full swing. We are targeting to produce 2,4 million tonnes against a national demand of 1, 8 million. We encourage our farmers to do land preparation.
What we have witnessed here are enough resources for our input distribution. Trucks are busy going to GMB centres with inputs for onward distribution to farmers.
We are distributing specific seed to specific agronomy regions,” said Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Hon Vangelis Haritatos.
Seed producers are also gearing up for the task ahead on predictions of a good rainfall season this year.
“We have sufficient stocks to make sure the programme is a success and distribution is underway to make sure every province receives inputs before the onset of the rainy season,” noted Valley Seeds Commercial Business Director Valley Seeds, Mr Tich Mapongah.
With a forecast of normal to above normal rainfall, the Government is targeting to produce at least 2 4 million tonnes of grain this season.
Over 3 million small-holder farmers will benefit under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme.
