Legislators call on govt to ensure seed houses are well funded

With the forthcoming 2012-2013 agricultural season fast approaching, legislators have called on government to make enough preparations to ensure that there is no repeat of last season's scenario where inputs were availed late.

Mhondoro-Ngezi House of Assembly Member Bright Matonga says there is need for government to speed up the process of availing inputs and ensure that seed houses are well funded to meet the season's requirements.

Murehwa South House of Assembly Member Joel Biggie Matiza said availing of inputs is critical to farmers as they want to plan their season on time while Sanyati House of Assembly Member Zakaria Ziyambi said policy inconsistence on the part of government has been the stumbling block in previous seasons.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister, Dr Joseph Made said government is paying seed houses and fertiliser producers to ensure that inputs are available on time.

Late disbursement of inputs has become a perennial problem with farmers claiming their plans are always put in disarray as government takes time to avail funding.