Staff Reporter

Farmers across Zimbabwe have assured the nation of a bumper harvest this year attributing that to the timely distribution of inputs, attractive producer prices and the abundant rains that the country is experiencing.

Speaking to this publication today, a farmer at Chikwingwizhi Farm in Mazowe, Simon Dzoro stated that a bumper harvest this year was foreseeable and he commended the Government for distributing inputs on time.

“We are going to experience the largest maize harvest this year thanks to affordable maize inputs which were distributed timeously and also the heavy rains which we continue to receive. We acknowledge the Government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa for its efforts in leaving no place and no one behind in its drive to achieve Vision 2030,” said Dzoro.

Another farmer from Manicaland, Josiah Chirume highlighted that the crops were looking good and said no one would experience hunger across the country.

“As a farmer in Manicaland Province, I am very pleased to inform you that our crops are looking good across the province. Hunger will be a thing of the past if the Government continues to provide the inputs timeously with an attractive producer price. The producer prices have motivated farmers to cultivate on bigger lands compared to other farming seasons,” he said.

Meanwhile, Government distributed over 24 000 tonnes of maize seed under the Presidential input support scheme this season, against an initial target of 14 000 tonnes.

The Government also distributed basal fertilizers on time at ward centres countrywide, while distribution of top-dressing fertilizers is ongoing.

In the 2022/2023 summer cropping season, farmers have planted 1 940 969 hectares of maize, 380 000 hectares of sorghum and 250 000 hectares of pearl millet.

Government set an output target of 3.53 million tonnes for maize in the current season.