The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has condemned the misuse of inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa and National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), calling for stricter penalties for offenders.
According to Statutory Instrument 79 of 2017, inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals provided through these programs must be used solely for their intended purposes, with all contracted produce delivered to designated buyers.
Those found diverting inputs could face fines up to level four, which includes imprisonment for up to three months, a fine, or both. Additionally, any misused inputs or illegally sold produce may be confiscated.
AMA CEO Clever Isaya told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/ama-decries-inputs-abuse-and-side-marketing/">The Herald</a> that the abuse of agricultural inputs undermines the Government’s efforts to ensure food security, disrupts market stability, and diminishes the economic potential of the agriculture sector. He said:
<blockquote>
Inputs provided under these schemes are a national investment in food security and agricultural resilience. Their misuse not only jeopardises household food security but also reduces the overall agricultural productivity needed to feed the nation.
AMA has established regional offices across the country to help farmers access information on proper marketing channels and compliance requirements.
This move aims to ensure that all farmers from communal to commercial, understand their obligations under the law and the economic impact of non-compliance.
</blockquote>
Programmes like Pfumvudza/Intwasa assist small-holder farmers while NEAPS, on the other hand, enables commercial-scale farming by providing financial and material support.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Obert Jiri, recently said that individuals who sell or distribute inputs received under the climate-proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme (Pfumvudza) will face arrest.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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The AMA is angry because people are using farming supplies in the wrong way. They want stricter rules and punishments for those who do this. People who misuse the supplies can go to jail or pay fines. It's important to use these supplies properly to make sure there is enough food. The AMA is helping farmers know how to follow the rules. Some programs help small farmers, while others support big farms. The government says anyone caught selling these supplies will get in trouble.

AMA Calls For Stricter Penalties To Combat Abuse of Government Farming Inputs

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>

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

Supporters of opposition political parties in Zimbabwe are reportedly being removed from the lists of beneficiaries for food aid and farming inputs distribution in rural areas.
According to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) Monthly Monitoring Report for September 2024, the distribution of food aid is occurring along partisan lines.
The report highlights nine separate incidents in which a total of 85 individuals were denied aid due to their political affiliations. Reads part of the report:
<blockquote>
In one of the 19 villages in Ward 8 in Vungu district, only 14 families have been benefiting from government-sponsored food aid in a village of about 65 families.
The narration from some of the victims indicates that when a decision to increase the number of beneficiary households was made, instead of adding from the rest of the families in the village, additional beneficiaries from the ruling party were added from other villages because the rest of the families were deemed unfit due to their political affiliations.
One of the victims narrated: “We are not getting the food rations because they say go and feed from your Father’s plate. We are not even told about the distribution but sometimes we are told by people that our names were on the list and were called out but we do not get the food, meaning someone is benefitting on our behalf”.
In Mwenezi North’s Ward 4, Kraal Head Chitemere is accused of only issuing the Pfumbvudza inputs solely to ruling party supporters, further marginalizing those who do not align with the political elite.
In Mwenezi North, Ward 4 Kraal Head Chitemere of Village 2, discriminately excluded two families from potential beneficiaries of fertiliser under the Pfumvudza supporting scheme stating that they never attend ZANU PF meetings and were not participating in the party activities. He declared the seedling program was for ruling party supporters only.
The families, facing a hostile environment, requested a letter from Chitemere to relocate to other villages but were denied, labelling them CCC members and claiming their movement to other villages would negatively impact others.
</blockquote>
Traditional leaders are reportedly forcing villagers to participate in labour-intensive infrastructure projects, presenting these initiatives as part of a “food for work” program. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
These have been noted in Vungu district in Midlands, Masvingo North, Bikita East, Gutu Central and Mutare North among others. In Ward 10, Mutare North in Manicaland, kraalhead Phanuel Hama Marange is leading the villagers who benefit from the social welfare distributed food aid in making damaged roads.
The villagers work with bare hands and use their own tools such as shovels, wheelbarrows and hoes.
Reports also state that villagers are fined US$1 should they absent themselves. In a similar incident in Bikita South in Masvingo, villagers who wanted to benefit from food aid were assigned duties under the food for work program and worked for two months but have not received the promised aid.
</blockquote>
 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Opposition supporters in Zimbabwe are being denied food aid and farming inputs because of their political affiliations. The Zimbabwe Peace Project found that 85 individuals were denied help because of their links to opposition parties. Traditional leaders are making villagers work on infrastructure projects in exchange for food aid, with some facing fines if they don't participate. The situation is worsening for opposition supporters in rural areas, with even aid distribution being done along party lines. This unfair treatment is causing hardship for those who don't support the ruling party.

Opposition Supporters Denied Food Aid In Rural Areas | Report

Seed houses and fertiliser companies have started the delivery of Presidential inputs to Grain Marketing Board depots and shops across the country, for onward distribution to farmers ahead of the 2023/24 summer cropping season, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/pfumvudza-inputs-distribution-in-full-swing/">The Herald</a>.
The Government is reportedly targetting 3.5 million households to benefit from the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme this upcoming season.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said the early distribution of inputs will boost productivity given that normal to below normal rainfall is expected. He said:
<blockquote>
We are happy to announce that fertiliser, seed maize and other inputs are now in place.
In the face of the anticipated El Nino (phenomenon) we want farmers to use every drop (of rain), so the early disbursement of inputs will go a long way towards boosting productivity.
Apart from the usual Government inputs programme, we are happy to announce that we have NMB Bank coming on board to support 10 000 hectares of crops this summer.
</blockquote>
Masuka said 35 000 tonnes of fertiliser has already been distributed.
Under Pfumvudza, the Government is targeting 250 000ha of sorghum, 126 577ha of maize, 100 000ha of sunflower, 6 230ha of soya beans, 260 000ha of cotton, 7 8120 ha of sugar beans, and 62 500ha of African peas and groundnuts.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Farming Inputs For 2023/24 Summer Season Now In Place - Minister Masuka

A Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) employee has been sentenced to nine months in jail for stealing Presidential Agricultural Inputs and attempting to sell them.
Munyaradzi Timire (41) of Shashe Village, Chief Bere in Mashav was a Cottco Coordinator in Mashava when he committed the offence.
Timire was arrested by detectives while on his way to Masvingo to sell the inputs.
The herbicides which Timire stole from COTTCO were valued at US$1 050 and meant for distribution to the farmers in Summerton Area in Mashava.
Timire was sentenced to nine months in prison by Masvingo Magistrate Philiip Makondo.
Three months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining six months were wholly suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service.
Nickson Chamisa appeared for the State. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/cottco-employee-jailed-9-months-for-stealing-presidential-agricultural-inputs/">Chronicle</a>

COTTCO Employee Gets Wholly Suspended Jail Term For Stealing Herbicides

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

Farmers have expressed concern over high input costs, especially fertiliser, and have implored the government to intervene and eliminate “profiteering” by businesses.
<a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/concern-over-high-farming-input-costs/">Business Times</a> has established that a 50kg bag of top dressing fertiliser is now selling at US$60, a 33% increase from US$45 last year.
The price of basal fertiliser has also gone up by almost 50% to between US$35-45 per 50kg from around US$25-30 last season.
Zimbabwe National Farmers Union (ZNFU) secretary general, Stewart Mubonderi called for “sensible pricing”. He said:
<blockquote>
We have an excessive profiteering problem in our nation, where individuals want to earn a lot of money in one night, but there will be very few buyers due to the high prices.
So we ask the corporations doing this to be sensible and provide farmers with fair pricing, and also the government to engage them constructively and ensure that these unwarranted price increases we are seeing are stopped and avoided.
</blockquote>
The president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU), Shadreck Makombe, said the high input prices would negatively affect the 2022/23 season. Makombe said:
<blockquote>
There is a need for the government to intervene in the short term through targeted and time limited input subsidies so as to alleviate the plight of vulnerable farmers and to ensure affordable and viable inputs.
It [the price of diesel] has been going down. We would have expected the prices of goods to also go down in tandem with the going down of diesel, which is one of the major inputs in prices.
Unfortunately it’s not happening that way. So at the end of the day farmers are the ones who are suffering.
</blockquote>
Makombe proposed that manufacturers of farming inputs deal directly with farmers to eliminate middlemen in order to reduce the high prices.

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