Zimbabwe: Chinese Fertiliser Last Hope for New Season

Source from:  Financial Gazette (Harare) 12 September 2007 09/14/2007

Zimbabwe's farmer groups hope that a consignment of fertiliser expected from China will avert what experts say is yet another disastrous start to the farming season. Hardest hit by worsening input shortages are tobacco farmers, who had planted enough seed to cover 95 000 hectares, with the aim of increasing production in the coming season from this year's 77 million kilogrammes to 120 million kg. Compound C fertiliser, which tobacco farmers require at the planting stage is in critically short supply, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said. "The situation regarding the fertiliser situation is that there is no fertiliser on the market. We hope that the consignment coming from China arrives on time to save the crop. Otherwise only contracted tobacco growers are accessing imported fertiliser from their sponsors," said the TIMB. The country has experienced perennial fertiliser crises owing to the unavailability of foreign currency. But this year, the fertiliser supply situation has been made particularly dire by the closure of Dorowa Mine, Iron Duke and Zimphos, key suppliers of raw materials to the fertiliser-manufacturing sector. Media reports said recently the three companies had closed due to the unavailability of various raw materials and power cuts. Cash-strapped Zimbabwe requires US$45.6 million for the refurbishment of the plants in the next three years to ensure production levels are maintained at 100 percent or 552 000 tonnes of fertiliser annually, industry players have noted. The sector also requires US$5.9 million per month to procure raw materials such as potassium, which is imported from the Middle East, Chile and Europe and sulphur from South Africa. Seed maize is also not readily available on the market, threatening the summer cropping season. Zimbabwe Farmers Union official Blessing Chifeya said although seed was sold on a limited scale, farmers also faced challenges in accessing tillage facilities. Another poor farming season would have a devastating effect on Zimbabwe which hoped for better fortunes this year after seven years of poor harvests, largely blamed on disruptions to production on farms following the violent take over of land from white farmers. Falling food production coupled with an unprecedented economic meltdown has resulted in most Zimbabweans depending on food handouts from international relief agencies. Enditem