Farmers applaud $60bn grain scheme
Elita Chikwati-Agriculture Reporter
Farmers have hailed Government for availing $60 billion to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) for the procurement of grain during the 2021 marketing season which started on April 1.
In his address on Independence Day, President Mnangagwa announced that Treasury had set aside $60 billion towards grain procurement.
“Treasury has set aside $60 billion for the timely payment of farmers by the Grain Marketing Board. The usual grain collection depots will be complemented by mobile and fixed collection points throughout the country,” he said.
The swift implementation of the Presidential Climate-Proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, Presidential Input Support Scheme, Command Agriculture, Presidential Horticulture Programme and respective initiatives by farmers, he said, have also yielded positive results.
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Tobacco farmers earn US$9m in 3 days
Elita Chikwati
Agriculture Reporter
Farmers have earned US$8,9 million in the first three days of the 2021 tobacco marketing season after selling 3,7 million kg of the crop at the auction and contract floors.
This represents an increase of over 1 000 percent from the US$783 465 earned by farmers during the same period last year after the sale of 374 338kg.
The 2021 tobacco marketing season opened last Wednesday while contract floors opened the following day. Most of the crop so far has been sold through the contract floors.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has revealed that 3,3 million kg of tobacco valued at US$7,9 million has been sold at the contract floors in the first two days, while farmers sold 489 153kg worth US$1 052 245 at the auction floors in three days.
Heavy rains expected to continue
Agriculture Reporter
Zimbabwe can expect another wet weekend with heavy downpours, particularly to the north of the watershed, the Meteorological Services Department advised yesterday.
Farmers were advised to harvest the water to boost irrigation activities during the winter cropping season.
According to Met Department senior forecaster Mr James Ngoma, there will be continuous rains in most parts of the country over the weekend. “Localised heavy downpours are expected especially in areas to the north of the watershed because of a passing cloud band emanating from Botswana that was giving significant falls over the southern parts of the country as of Thursday into Friday.
FARMER’S organisations have expressed concerns over the incessant rains that have pounded the country for the past few days as they have the potential of ruin their crops.
Most parts of Mashonaland Central – Mt Darwin and Bindura – Mashonaland West and Midlands have been receiving large amounts of rainfall. A recent update from the Metrological Services Department shows that the country is expected to receive more rains up until this Wednesday with flash flooding anticipated in some areas.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Shadreck Makombe, said farmers in Mashonaland Central are much concerned about the plant growth which has been hindered by the heavy rains.