Abut 3,000 tonnes of maize seed imported by Zimbabwe from neighbouring Zambia have so far arrived in the country.
"To date, we have received 3 000 tonnes of maize seed and its now at various GMB depots. Distribution in some regions has already begun and we are hoping that by end of this month, the distribution exercise would be complete," said the official. "We are also expecting some urea and ammonium nitrate that we imported from South Africa and China and the order will arrive in the country any time soon."
Officials said the fertilizer, especially top dressing (ammonium nitrate) might not be enough to meet the local demand but "Government will continue looking into ways of ensuring that the shortage will not have a major impact on the projected agricultural yields."
Agriculture Minister Mr Rugare Gumbo has indicated that local seed houses had the capacity to produce 35 000 tonnes of maize seed for the 2007/08 season. Already, nearly 30 000 tonnes have been distributed to farmers countrywide.
Farmers have already started planting in most parts of the country. Government has indicated that it needed to import an additional 15 000 tonnes to ensure enough maize seed to farmers.
This prompted the central bank to import a further 15 000 tonnes of maize seed worth about US$17 million from a Seed Co associate company in Zambia.
Deliveries started three weeks ago and daily deliveries of about 308 tonnes are expected until mid-December. Apart from maize seed, the RBZ is also importing 300 000 tonnes of sorghum from Botswana.
The Herald
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