The Seed Traders Association said on Friday to date it has imported more than 3,500 tons of maize seed out of the 15,000 expected to be procured from neighboring South Africa to supplement local supplies.

"We are still in the process of importing more seed but the shortage of fuel is affecting our operations since most of the truckers are Zimbabwean," said Seed Traders Association Chairman Themba Nkatazo.

He called on farmers not to panic as the situation was under control, adding however that the distribution of seed throughout the country was slow due to erratic fuel supplies.

Pannar and Pioneer seed companies pledged in July this year that they would import 15,000 tons of seed from South Africa to augment local production as the country has been failing to produce enough seed due to persistent droughts over the past few years.

The country requires more than 60,000 tons of seed every year to meet the requirements of farmers and seed houses have resorted to imports to reduce the deficit.

Source: Xinhua