Staff Reporter

Government is making positive strides to ensure that there is enough fertilizer for the 2023/24 summer cropping season.

In a post-cabinet press briefing Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere, highlighted that the Government was exploring different avenues to improve localization of fertilizer production in Zimbabwe.

“The nation is informed that 2023/2024 summer crop preparedness indicates a total demand of 1 422 500 tonnes of fertilizer targeting 3 million households for strategic crops. It is reported that there will be a deficit of 990 317 tonnes of fertilizer for the current season. The country is reported to have 77 483 tonnes of stock and 354 700 tonnes in Collateral Management Agreement which requires US $ 460 million to unlock the stocks.

“Cabinet further reports that in order to alleviate the current shortage of fertilizer, the country will import through a variety of potential schemes such as the Dorowa Shawa Hills Project and Wonderful Group of Zambia Joint Venture with Rusununguko/Nkululeko Holdings. The joint venture is expected to bring in 50 000 metric tonnes of Basal Fertiliser and 50 000 metric tonnes of Ammonia Nitrate,” said Minister Muswere.

He also informed that the private sector will be collaborating with other businesses to produce fertiliser to cover market gaps in the country.

“Sable Chemicals also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Invictus Energy which will enable the company to produce 240 000 tonnes of AN fertilizer and 360 000 tonnes of Urea. Sable is also pursuing the option of local ammonia gas production which includes the production of Green Ammonia using solar as the primary source of power,” said Minister Muswere.

Meanwhile, Government is putting in place other innovative measures which can be used by farmers to ensure a good harvest such as the use of super grade fertilisers like the Super D instead of Compound D or Urea in place of Ammonium Nitrate.