Zimbabwe: Fertilizer Shortage Won't Derail Agric Season - Gumbo

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 12 December 2007 12/13/2007

AGRICULTURE Minister Mr Rugare Gumbo has allayed fears that the current fertilizer shortage will derail this year's agricultural season. Mr Gumbo said the Government was aware of the shortages and was working flat out to ensure that fertilizer is availed to all farmers. "Yes, we have had challenges but we are doing everything that is humanely possible to ensure that we source enough fertilizer for this season," he said. Government would continue importing fertilizer while ensuring that local fertilizer companies are capacitated to augment the imports. The country is this week expecting a consignment of fertilizer from China. Zimbabwe recently took delivery of 800 000 tonnes of Compound D from China and South Africa. The farming community had been gripped by fears of an uncertain farming season as shops ran out of fertilizer while the rains have begun to fall. The shortage was affecting all farmers, with tobacco farmers requiring Compound C and Ammonium Nitrate while maize producers use Ammonium Nitrate and Compound D. The country's major fertilizer suppliers, the Zimbabwe Fertilizer Company, Windmill, Zimphos and Sable Chemicals have been facing serious challenges that have made it almost impossible for them to produce. Central to the challenges has been the current pricing regime, which the fertilizer companies believe was transferring their income into the informal market where traders were making roaring business from selling fertilizer at black market prices. This year's farming season has been dubbed the mother of all agriculture seasons and the availability of fertilizer is key to attaining this goal. Enditem