Midlands Provincial Affairs minister, Owen Ncube , has warned against the abuse of farming inputs distributed under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Presidential Input Programme saying those caught on the wrong side of law will be prosecuted.
Speaking in Silobela at the Midlands provincial launch of the programme, Ncube called for equitable distribution of the inputs particularly to vulnerable groups.
“Abuse of inputs will not be tolerated and all those caught diverting inputs will face the full wrath of the law without fear or favour as we have declared zero tolerance to theft and corruption,” Ncube said.
“Fellow farmers, presidential inputs are not paid for.
“Anyone caught soliciting payments must be reported to the law enforcement agencies and corrective action will be taken.
“The inputs distribution committees are strongly advised to adhere to his excellency, the President Dr ED Mnangagwa directives on fair and equitable distribution by ensuring all non labour constrained beneficiaries prepare their plots and assist vulnerable households that include the elderly, the sick, child headed families and people with disabilities to ensure distribution is fair and equitable.”
Ncube farmers said farmers in the province should take advantage of the current wet spell and plant their crops early.
He urged agriculture extension workers and supervisors to advise farmers in the province to “accelerate potholing of their Pfumvudza plots and mulch.”
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“I urge farmers to diversify crop and livestock mixes, stagger planting and grow small grains which are drought tolerant,” he said.
The Midlands minister also called for identification of early maturing crop varieties, conduct Pfumvudza blitz activities, sensitisation, mobilisation, registration, training, tracking and monitoring of farmers until harvest utilising the vision 2030 Agricultural Livelihoods Tracker to ensure production and productivity.
During the launch a total of 500 Kwekwe district farmers and traditional leaders received inputs including compound D and ammonium nitrate fertilisers, maize and sorghum seeds, herbicides and atrazines.
