‘Pfumvudza inputs are free’

PFUMVUDZA/Intwasa inputs are free for every farmer from every corner of the
country.

This is a Government initiative under which it helps farmers with free inputs, as part
of efforts to ensure household food security throughout the country.

This year, the inputs are being given to those who have already prepared land from
three plots going upwards.

However, a problem has arisen in that some farmers are being asked to pay for
transportation of these inputs.

There are confirmed cases, where transporters are claiming payment from farmers,
even though they are paid for that at the GMB.

One farmer from Portlet, who preferred anonymity, said they were being made to pay
for transportation of inputs and they have actually paid so that they could receive the
inputs.

We have actually been made to pay for transport and because you want to receive
the inputs, you end up paying. They will actually be demanding it to an extent that
names of those who will have paid are written down," said the farmer.

In some places, there are cases where the drivers and village heads are in this
together as they will later share the money which people are made to pay for
transportation.

Mashonaland West Provincial Director of Agricultural and Recovery Development
Advisory Services (ARDAS), Evelyn Ndoro, confirmed that there are some areas
where this is happening and that they have attended to the cases.

I can confirm that we have received reports in some places where transporters are
demanding money from farmers for carrying their inputs, but we have managed to
communicate with all GMB depots to make sure that the transporters do not demand
money from farmers.

“I would also want to inform farmers that they should not separate with their money
on anything to do with Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs, because they are for free. The
transporters get paid at GMB, so in places where it's happening I encourage you to
report such cases.

“I repeat that farmers should not pay for transportation of inputs. We are yet to go
back to those areas and see if this has stopped,” said Ndoro.

She also encouraged farmers to use the inputs accordingly so that as a province, the
target set is met in line with the Government's agenda of ensuring national food
security.

Farmers who have prepared land are still receiving inputs in different districts and
they have managed to cover 70 percent of inputs distribution.