The presidential agricultural inputs scheme through which communal farmers receive free seed and fertiliser from the Government under Pfumvudza / Intswasa has gobbled ZW$828 billion from the 2023 National Budget.
This was said by the Chief Finance Officer in the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture Peter Mudzamiri while presenting the ministry’s 2024 budget expectations before parliament’s lands committee on Wednesday. Mudzamiri was quoted by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/presidential-inputs-gobble-800-billion-government-funds/">ZimLive</a> as saying:
<blockquote>
In the 2023 budget, the compensation of employees took $97 billion, CBZ bank guarantee took $69 billion, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) strategic grain reserve took $132 billion, Zimbabwe agriculture commodity exchange we invested $200 million in that organisation.
Agriculture finance cooperation took $5.5 billion and then the presidential input programme took about $828 billion.
</blockquote>
The money spent on the presidential agricultural inputs scheme was more than the funds spent on key projects such as the construction of dams. Added Mudzamiri:
<blockquote>
Dam construction took $224 billion, the rest of the other ministry land items took $227 billion, the total of all these is $1.5 trillion.
</blockquote>
Critics say the presidential input scheme is a strategy by the ZANU PF party to ingratiate itself with the rural populace in an attempt to prolong its rule.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Govt Spent $800 Billion On Free Presidential Inputs In 2023

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>

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