Mash East farmers call for speedy top-dressing delivery

Mash East farmers call for speedy top-dressing delivery

Pretty Manyewe

Farmers in Mashonaland East have called on Government to expedite the delivery of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, otherwise known as top-dressing to safeguard this year`s bumper harvest.
Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS)District Head Mr Makona from Mutoko said the wet conditions and incessant rains had improved the general conditions of crops in the district.
This has seen 80% of the crops in good condition and at the tasselling stage, promising good results at this year’s harvest season.
“Most crops are knee-high and at the tasselling stage with almost 80% of the crops in good condition. Most of the maize crop is now at 4 to 6 weeks and we expect a bumper harvest this year,” said Mr. Makona.
Mr Makona said there is now an urgent need for top-dressing fertilisers if the gains of being realised are not to be reversed.
“The rains have created the need for top-dressing fertilizers so that farmers guard against leaching. Most of the maize crop is now at 4 to 6 weeks and needs top-dressing fertilizer. Unfortunately, on the market, top dressing fertilizer is not affordable to many.
There is a need to speed up Pfumvudza’s Top dressing distribution across the district. The supply to Grain Marketing Board (GMB) currently needs to be faster to meet the increased demand. The Government needs to intervene so that our farmers can get the fertilizer in time and ensure a bumper harvest,” said Mr Makona.
The Pfumvudza Climate Smart Agriculture program, launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2020, aims to increase food security and improve crop yields through conservation agriculture techniques, such as minimum tillage, mulching, and intercropping. The program also provides smallholder farmers with inputs, including seed and fertilizer, and extension services to support their adoption of these techniques.
The program has successfully provided food-insecure households and drought-affected areas with the necessary resources to increase crop yields and improve livelihoods.
However, the increased demand for top-dressing fertilizers highlights the need for continued support from the government to ensure the success of the Pfumvudza program and a bumper harvest for the farmers in Mashonaland East.