Government issues stern warning to farmers over Presidential Input Scheme
By Dumisani Ndlovu
The Zimbabwean government has issued a stern warning to farmers benefiting from the Presidential Pfumvudza scheme: selling the provided inputs is strictly prohibited and will be met with legal action. This warning was made clear by Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube during a monitoring visit to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Gweru Depot.
The depot has received 43 tonnes of seed, fertilizer, and compound D under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Input Support Scheme for the 2024/2025 farming season. This initiative aims to support various households, including communal, A1, small-scale commercial farming, old resettlement, and peri-rural households in the province.
GMB Gweru Depot manager Masauso Kamupata explained, “It is an ongoing exercise, and as we receive, we will also be dispatching to the farmers as the season progresses.” Registration of farmers is currently underway, handled by Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS).
ARDAS provincial manager Olga Mavhakeni urged farmers to plan ahead to avoid delays during planting. “As far as Pfumvudza is concerned, the potholing is ongoing, and we encourage farmers to continue preparations for planting this season.” The target is 276,000 hectares for maize, with part of it under Pfumvudza and some under commercial farming.
Minister Ncube emphasized that the government fully pays for transportation of Pfumvudza inputs to beneficiaries. He praised the timely arrival of the full consignment, including seed, fertilizers, and herbicides. “This approach is strategic as it bolsters agriculture production and productivity inspired by favourable LA NINA weather forecasts associated with normal to above normal rainfall that point to a high probability of bumper harvests.”
In a stern warning, Minister Ncube stated, “I wish to warn beneficiaries under the Presidential Pfumvudza scheme that it is an offence to sell the inputs. The practice will not be tolerated as it defeats the intended purpose. Law enforcement agencies will deal with all those found diverting national resources for personal gain.”
