Input suppliers beef up stocks ahead of summer cropping

cropping season and assured farmers of adequate supplies.
With Government also saying it has commenced distribution of inputs under the Intwasa/Pfumvudza model targeting communal farmers, the country is geared to boost its food security, recovering from the reduced harvest this year due to poor rains.

A snap survey conducted by the Business Chronicle in Bulawayo has shown that input supply dealers are already fully stocked with seed varieties, fertiliser and chemicals.

Intwasa
Operators such as Farm and City, Farmbiz, One Stop Farm Hub and other retailers said they had enough supplies to meet market demand amid price differences between each outlet.

For instance, maize seed has been packed from as little as 2kg to 25kgs with a 2kg pack
pegged at between $4 849 to $5 926 while a 5kg pack ranges from $13 365 to $15 500 with
25kgs selling from $70 000 to $85 925, depending on varieties.

The suppliers also have fertilisers ranging from 5kg to 50kg with Compound D being sold
from as lowest as $3 000 to $28 000 depending on size of package while Ammonium
Nitrate (AN) 10kg is pegged at $8 400 and Compound C 10kg at $5 700.

Also available are seed varieties such as sugar beans, soya beans, sorghum, sunflower and
ground nuts.

A pack of 25kg soya beans goes for $42 570, sugar beans 5kg at $14 850, sorghum 10kg at
$13 860 and groundnuts 10kg at $26 219.

soya beans
“All is set for the coming planting season. We urge farmers to start preparing their land
and buy their inputs on time to avoid inconveniences,” said an official from one of the
suppliers.

The suppliers have urged farmers to buy inputs early saying at this time of the season
prices will still be affordable.

Contacted for comment Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) executive director, Mr Paul
Zakariya, said the cropping season was fast approaching, which means farmers must get
ready. He stressed the need to ensure a successful season to avert food shortages.

Mr Raymond Shoniwa
“We are extremely grateful for the early distribution of inputs to the farming
communities. Smallholder farmers have been given a shot in the arm and there will be no
excuse for not planting with the early effective rains,” said Mr Zakariya.

“As farmers sell their commodities, they should be stocking up inputs for the coming
season. Our marketing season was, however, characterised by low producer prices and as
such, farmers will need to be supported in as far as procuring inputs is concerned.”
   
Confederations of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Matabeleland Chapter president, Mr
Raymond Shoniwa, has said that planning for the season does not start when the rains
come but organised farmers need to start planning right now.

In a separate interview, Syngenta sales agronomist for Matabeleland Ms Annette Mutetwa
said as the rain season approaches, preparedness and proper planning was a must for
farmers. She said farmers need to buy genuine inputs, which are manufactured with
regional climate inclinations in mind and encouraged farmers to plan ahead. — The Chronicle