The ManicaPost
Post Reporters
TIMELINES in the supply of inputs under the Command Agriculture programme has been one of the major challenges experienced in the inaugural implementation of the programme this season, a Government official has said.
Presenting a Command Agriculture Special Maize Production for Import Substitution report for Manicaland during Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tour of Command Agriculture projects in the province last Thursday, acting Provincial Agriculture Extension Officer, Mrs Philipa Rwambiwa, said shortage of vehicles and fuel for verification exercises hindered the findings of the monitoring teams.
VP Mnangagwa toured Taguta Farm in Chipinge Central as well as Mutare Prison Farm.
“The major challenges are those of resources and timelines of supply of inputs in the province, but the situation has improved. Verification of farmers was hindered by shortage of vehicles and fuel. Tillage was also a major challenge for famers and this reduced the pace of planting.
“However, the situation improved when the province was allocated funds for use by farmers to access tillage services from verified tillage providers.
“We strongly recommend that resources must be made available urgently to improve efficiency of members at command centres. Top dressing fertiliser (AN) is required as a matter of urgency for the planted crop. The programme requires constant monitoring by providing the adequate resources,” she said.
VP Mnangagwa said Government was in the process of extending the Command Agriculture programme model to cover other crops as the country moves towards attaining food self-sufficiency.
