by Bernard Mutambudzi
Government yesterday guaranteed the affordability of agricultural inputs after it engaged seed houses and producers, a move that has given relief to farmers who had lost hope for a successful 2018-19 agricultural season following a spate of unwarranted price hikes of the inputs.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet deliberated on affordability of agricultural inputs, especially seeds and fertilizers.
"As a follow-up to yesterday’s meeting, President Emmerson Mnangagwa had a fruitful engagement with representatives of seed houses and fertilizer producers," said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said the President was briefed on the positive development where seed houses and fertilizers were continually reviewing downwards the prices of seeds and fertilizers.
She said the main thrust of Government is to ensure the stabilisation of macro-economic environment that through dialogue with business and introduction of necessary policies that facilitate growth of the economy.
She said key features and objectives that Cabinet resolved include the need for vigorous enforcement of regulations which outlaw the three tier pricing system and sanction those found on the wrong side of the law.
She added that assistance be given to Small and Medium Enterprises involved in manufacturing in order to boost production and availability of basic commodities.
“Work on the local content policy is being urgently finalised in order to promote the utilisation of local resources by industries and in the process, reduce demand on foreign currency as well as increase employment creation," she said.
She said there was need to have an industrial fund, in particular, the foreign currency component, for re-tooling of the local industry.
Turning to drug shortages, Minister Mutsvangwa said Government was pursuing Government to Government agreements for the provision of medicine.
"Such arrangements should enable National Pharmatical (NatPharm) to procure medicines on credit," she said.
On that vein, the Minister hinted that Vice President of India was expected in the country to tie up the loose ends in that regard.
The press conference was also attended by Prof Ncube (Minister of Finance and Economic Development), Dr Obadiah Moyo ( Health and Child Care), Dr Joram Gumbo, (Energy and Power Development), Joe Biggie Matiza (Transport and Infrastructural Development) Mangaliso Ndhlovu(Industry and Commerce), Sekai Nzenza (Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare) and Dr Misheck Sibanda( Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet).
