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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 23851, member: 2262"] Zimbabwe Tightens Controls on Presidential Farm Input Program After Theft. The Zimbabwe government has ordered stricter measures for its Presidential Input Programme following recent cases of theft. Officials must prevent leakages and ensure farm supplies reach the intended farmers. The directive follows a major theft in Ward 7 of Tsholotsho District, Matabeleland North Province. A vehicle disappeared carrying 400 bags of Urea fertilizer (50kg each), 30 bags of sunflower seed (10kg each), and 100 bottles of Imidacloprid chemicals (200 ml each). Police have arrested three suspects, and investigations are continuing. Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, announced that the Criminal Investigation Department and Zimbabwe Republic Police are pursuing those responsible. "We say no to abuse of agricultural inputs," Jiri stated. "We will never condone any attempt, activity, or anything related to the abuse of Presidential inputs." The Ministry has implemented new security measures, including an e-input distribution system with e-signatures and facial recognition technology. These changes aim to prevent future thefts and ensure proper delivery to farmers. Previous input abuse occurred mainly in the cotton sector, leading to revised distribution plans for the 2024/25 season. The new system requires all supplies to pass through common input distribution points before the Grain Marketing Board moves them to farmers. The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe and Agritex officers will select productive farmers based on specific criteria. These include farmers who delivered seed cotton, those growing cotton seed, demonstration farmers, participating institutions, youth and women's clubs, and traditional leaders involved in cotton production. The government has strengthened oversight procedures across all agricultural programs. New measures include blacklisting corrupt officials and banning ward committees found involved in input abuse. [/QUOTE]

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