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Command Agriculture in swift take off

18 Nov, 2016 - 00:11 0 Views
Command Agriculture in swift take off Embracing Command Agriculture. . .Headlands farmer Mr Lovemore Gijima Musindo (second from left) helps his workers load seed into a planter (Picture by Tinai Nyadzayo)

The ManicaPost

Samuel Kadungure: Farming Reporter
MANICALAND has finally received heavy rains which instantly transformed its agricultural complexion – as farmers contracted to produce maize under the Command Agriculture scheme – race against time to plant.Farmers, who of late have been left in suspense since the Meteorological Services Department had predicted mid-October as the beginning of the rainy season, are taking advantage of the current soil moisture brought about by heavy rains that pounded the province since Sunday to start planting.

The Met Dept forecasted normal to above normal rains across the country this season in which significant rains were expected as early as mid-October.

The Provincial Agritex Officer for Manicaland Mr Godfrey Mamhare said even drier regions have received encouraging rains sufficient to recharge soil moisture, but farmers need not to be carried away.

“The summer wet season has started and farmers should start planting. “A lot of ground has been covered under the Command Agriculture, the take of is expeditious and encouraging,” said Mr Mamhare.

About 539 farmers with a cumulative 6 448.2ha have been contracted to produce maize under irrigation, while 889 farmers with a total of 6 099.6ha will grow maize under dry land giving a total of 12 548 hectares so far contracted under the Command Agriculture.

About 24 294ha were registered under dry land and 16 033 under irrigation, which is still a far cry from the 65 000ha targeted by the province. The farmers received chemicals, allocated 400kgs of Compound D or 350kg of Double D; 300kg of Ammonium Nitrate, 700kg of lime and 100 litres of diesel per hectare and will pay back by giving Government five tonnes per hectare and retain any surplus.

“I want to emphasise that those who have received inputs should use them for the purpose the intended for because a physical counting and inspection will be conducted to ensure that beneficiaries account for the inputs,” said Mr Mamhare.

His sentiments were echoed by one of the Command Agriculture beneficiary in Headlands Mr Lovemore Gijima Msindo, of Gijima Farm, who said Government should crack the whip against defaulting farmers.

Mr Msindo, who by Tuesday had planted 60ha, said over the years Government’s good intentions have been compromised by those with mentality of self-enrichment at the expense of providing the nation with sustainable food security.

He said only those who view farming as a business that must be undertaken with an unqualified responsibility to feed the nation, should get Government assistance.

Mr Msindo is targeting 200ha under the scheme, with a view to harvest 12 tonnes per hectare.

“The Government has set me on a horse, and there is no way I cannot fly. “Over the past years we have failed to produce optimally due to finance and inputs related challenges, and now that the Government has come on board in this great way, surely I will perform miracles.

“I am targeting 12 tonnes per hectare, and failure is not an option,” said Mr Msindo.

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