Zimbabwean farmers are concerned about high input prices at distributor shops, which may hinder production and force them to use uncertified seeds, potentially affecting yields.
A snap survey by <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/farmers-decry-high-inputs-cost/">Chronicle</a> in Bulawayo revealed maize seed prices between US$37 and US$50 for a 10kg bag, depending on the variety.
Fertilisers were priced around US$30 for a 50kg bag of compound D and US$36 for ammonium nitrate.
Farmers have warned that the high prices of seeds will force many to resort to uncertified seeds, negatively impacting output.
A farmer who only identified herself as Mrs Ncube, input costs are higher than they can afford, particularly as the country recovers from the El-Nino-induced drought. She said:
<blockquote>
Not many of us will be able to afford proper and enough inputs considering that people are already suffering from El Nino effects where much funds are channelled towards essential cereals. Many people will resort to other plans like planting uncertified seed.
It’s only that we had to focus on buying food. In the past we used to buy seed before the rains when it would be cheaper, but this year things changed because of the drought.
</blockquote>
Mrs Ncube added that rural farmers traditionally relied on manure as a natural fertiliser. However, due to widespread livestock deaths across various parts of the country, many farmers will now be forced to purchase commercial fertilisers instead.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) Secretary General Paul Zakariya expressed concern over the skyrocketing prices of agricultural inputs, describing it as deeply troubling.
He said that these high costs are driving up production expenses and shrinking profit margins for farmers.
Zakariya called for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to work together in order to restore stability and fairness to the marketplace.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Farmers in Zimbabwe are worried because the prices of seeds and fertilizers are going up. The high costs might make it hard for them to produce enough crops. Some farmers may have to use uncertified seeds, which may not grow well. Because of a drought, many farmers can't afford the expensive inputs. The Zimbabwe Farmers Union is also concerned about the high prices. They want everyone in the agricultural sector to work together to make things fairer for the farmers. Farmers are struggling to afford what they need to grow crops.

Farmers In Zimbabwe Raise Alarm Over Rising Input Costs

Village heads from Ward 37 in Gutu Central constituency reportedly refused to receive 200 bags of Compound D fertiliser brought for distribution under the Presidential Inputs Scheme by the local councillor.
The Mirror reported that the distribution was supposed to happen at Tachi Business Center near Mukaro on Thursday but the lorry was forced to return with its load.
The local councillor, Gabriel Mapepa, confirmed the incident but accused “drunk youths” of disrupting the distribution process.
However, The Mirror reported sources as saying it was the village heads who came together and decided to refuse the fertiliser.
They said Mapepa had allocated more bags to his home which is called Chipangane B.
After the councillor had briefed the village heads about the distribution modalities, they allegedly refused to accept the fertiliser.
They came from the meeting and told the villagers to reject the fertiliser until the councillor brought the missing bags that had been allocated to Chipangane B.
According to The Mirror, Ward 37 is divided into two distribution centres, one at Tachi which is Chipangane A and another near Gutu Mission which is Chipangane B. Said Mapepa:
<blockquote>
We stopped the distribution yesterday because some rowdy youths disrupted the meeting. It was not the village heads who rejected the inputs.
</blockquote>
Mapepa reportedly distributed 290 bags to his home area and 200 to Tachi and four villagers were supposed to share a bag.
The councillor is accused of trying to woo voters in the upper part of the ward in areas around the Gutu mission which is occupied by the working class who largely support the opposition.
A disgruntled villager claimed that last year almost 20 bags of fertilizer from the Presidential input scheme disappeared and Mapepa failed to account for them. | <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/village-heads-reject-presidential-inputs/">The Mirror</a>

Gutu Village Heads Reject Free Presidential Inputs

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating a case of a robbery that occurred at a farm along Boundary Road in Karoi on the 11th of this month at around 0000 hours.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, police said farm produce, inputs, and equipment worth US$80 000 were stolen by 10 unknown suspects who were armed with iron bars and wooden sticks.
The robbers reportedly stormed the farm and attacked two security guards who were on duty. Further reads the police report:
<blockquote>
The suspects tied the victims’ hands and legs with barbed wire and twine before breaking into the workshop and manager’s office, where they stole property comprising a drill machine, grinder, 17,3 tonnes of soya beans, 1510 litres of Glyphosate, several herbicides, among other items. They loaded the loot in an unidentified truck and went off.
</blockquote>
In yet another robbery case, police announced the arrest of Oliver Matandirotya (22), Richman Musokera (18) and Morning–Dew Muzira (20) in connection with a spate of unlawful entry into premises and theft cases committed in and around the Kutama area, Zvimba, from July to August 2022.
Police said the suspects are linked to three counts of unlawful entry into premises and theft, where they would break into the complainants’ houses and steal various properties ranging from electrical gadgets, cellphones, clothes, farm produce and cash.
Police have since recovered one bicycle, three buckets of maize, a jacket and a pair of shoes from the suspects. 
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