SHANNISE DZOBO
The government through the Cabinet recently approved the importation of fertilizer by individual farmers with paying duty.
The approval came after the responsible ministry brought the matter before the cabinet where it was reported that the country needed fertilizer.
In this regard, the cabinet approved the importation of fertilizer to augment the situation while the country develops long-term solutions to the fertilizer challenges.
“Meanwhile, the Government has approved that farmers import fertilizers directly from suppliers outside the country to augment local supplies whilst the Government develops a long-term solution to the fertilizer challenges,” read the statement.
The national demand for fertilizers is estimated at 400 000 metric tonnes (MT) of basal and 380 000MT of top dressing per annum for both the summer and winter cropping seasons.
The local fertilizer industry is having challenges and the supply gap is being covered largely by imports.
The current fertilizer stocks held by the Zimbabwe Fertilizer Manufacturers Association (ZFMA) and those under the Collateral Management Agreement (CMA) have indicated that they have challenges meeting the surging demand ahead of the imminent summer season.
