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– Beneficiaries claim to have excess
– Product sold at half of market price
– Farmers warned against inputs abuse
– Experts bemoan resource wastage
By Kundai Marunya
Inputs for Government’s Pfumvudza and Command Agriculture programmes have found their way to the black market where they are being sold for less than their market value.
These inputs, which include seed, fertiliser and even diesel are being sold by the beneficiaries and also through intermediaries.Pfumvudza or Intwasa, is touted as a climate-proofed farming method.
Under the scheme, targeted farmers receive 50kg of basal dressing, 50kg of top dressing and traditional grain seeds for both oil seed and cereals, enough for three Pfumvudza plots measuring 16m by 39m.
However, critics of the scheme have described it as a scam used by some members of President Mnangagwa’s regime to loot State coffers.
An investigation by Nhau revealed that a 50kg bag of fertiliser, paid for by the tax payer, is being sold for US$15, close to half their market value while a 25kg bag of maize seed is going for US$20.
A resettled A2 farmer in Goromonzi South only identified as Nzobo confessed to selling “excess” inputs he received for the two Government programmes, working in cahoots with other farmers.
After Nhau expressed interest to buy a few bags, Nzobo promised he could make available a tonne within the hour if an order were to be placed.
“The inputs we received from Government through Pfumvudza and Command Agriculture programmes are more than what we actually need to produce on the land we have,” said Nzobo.
So rampant is the problem of inputs theft and abuse, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe recently urged members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police to be vigilant and safeguard inputs provided by Government under its various programmes.
“As you may all be aware, Government has already begun distributing agricultural inputs to farmers around the country under the Pfumvudza farming concept,” said Kazembe.
“The technique, which is under the Agriculture Recovery Plan, is aimed at climate-proofing farming by adopting conservation and correct agronomic practices for higher returns to ensure household and national food and nutritional security.
“I, thus, enjoin the police to heighten their vigilance and guard against abuse of this facility and theft of Government inputs.”
This message has, however, fallen on deaf ears as abuse of inputs continues unabated. It even involves police officers.
Recently, a Chegutu councillor, two master sergeants and a police officer were arrested for allegedly diverting $1,1 million worth of inputs meant for small-scale farmers under the Pfumvudza programme.
A general hand at the Grain Marketing Board depot in Chegutu, two Agritex officers and a transporter were also arrested.
They allegedly inflated the list of beneficiaries using names of non-existent farmers before grabbing tonnes of inputs.Pfumvudza and Command Agriculture programmes are monitored by agronomists.
But the scheming of inputs has remained a perennial problem that has led to failure of Government programmes including the Presidential Input Scheme and Command Agriculture.
Government always blames the failure on climate change and poor rainfall.
“It’s impossible for agronomists to monitor each and every farmer on how they use inputs,” said agronomist Ronald Ziyera.
“The failure to adhere to set guidelines has been the biggest factor leading to failure of Government programmes that are often perfect on paper.
“The only way for Pfumvudza to be successful is if implementation on the ground is done following all instructions, failure to do so, it will just be another waste of resources”.
Government has perennially equipped farmers with resources to produce, be they inputs, tractors and even expertise since the land reform programme.
Some tractors meant for communal use have ended up under sole ownership of ZANU PF chefs and individuals linked to the ruling party.
Custodians of the tractors reportedly charge other farmers to use the tractors.
Some recipients of the tractors distributed under the controversial Agriculture Mechanisation Programme failed to account for them, only a few years after their receipt.
Diesel has also been one of the leading inputs that end up on the black market, especially during times when fuel is scarce. Some farmers collect diesel and sell it on the black market through middlemen.
Command Agriculture-sourced diesel became one of the major sources of black market diesel, with one trader opening a major operation from his backyard in Warren Park, supplying mostly commuter omnibus operators.
Government resources meant to boost agriculture production are often abused leading to failure to produce enough for domestic consumption, let alone export.Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, which is responsible for both programmes were fruitless.
Meanwhile, as some beneficiaries sell their inputs, others are still to receive their share, with reports that that the Grain Marketing Board is racing against time to ensure all farmers receive their inputs early.
Initially the Pfumvudza programme was meant to benefit 1.8 million – a near impossibility considering that the summer cropping season in now well underway.GMB chief executive, Mr Rockie Mutenha said suppliers were overwhelmed as they have to supply Command Agriculture and at the same time supply Pfumvudza, cotton inputs and private retail shops. Nhau/Indaba
