06 Sep 2021

 The Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security will implement a new transformative ISPAAD in the 2022/23 ploughing season.

 In a media release, the ministry says the programme will be implemented under the same guidelines and controls for the last time this  ploughing season.

However, it says some components, including individual, group and cluster fencing of arable farming areas for which payment has not yet been made as well as construction of new agricultural service centres, will be put on hold during the transition period. 

The release says for this cropping season, subsistence farmers will be assisted with seeds for a maximum of four hectares per farmer with two hectares reserved for hybrid seed and the other for open pollinated seeds. 

It explains that subsistence farmers will be provided with two bags of fertiliser per hectare for a maximum of four hectares while those who have tested their soils will be assisted on the basis of soil analysis results.“Fodder seeds will be provided at a 50 per cent subsidy for a maximum of four hectares while subsidy on herbicides will be availed to emerging and commercial farmers only,” it says.

According the statement, the amount of subsidy on draught power shall cover four hectares for subsistence farmers while those who plough in unallocated areas such as cattle-posts will  be assisted with OPV seeds only to a maximum of four hectares per farmer.

The release explains that ISPAAD horticulture component will be provided on a 50-50 basis between government and farmers either as individuals or groups.  

 The subsidy will only apply to viable horticultural projects and will cover both open field and protected production, it states. 

It further says emerging farmers will be assisted with a 35 per cent subsidy on the cost of seed, fertiliser and herbicides for a maximum of 150 hectares while their commercial counterparts will be assisted with a 30 per cent subsidy for a maximum area of 500 hectares. 

The release says leasing of fields may be allowed provided the lessor and the lessee sign an affidavit provided by the ministry. 

Farmers are advised to register on time as only those who have registered up to September 30 will be eligible for assistance during the current ploughing season.  

Horticultural farmers are however excluded from the registration cut-off point. ENDS