FROM the look of things, the distribution of farming inputs to vulnerable but viable farmers is on course this year and very few hitches are anticipated.

This is a positive development as it is a break from the past when some farmers, especially those in the remote parts of the country, received their inputs late despite assurances of early delivery by the authorities.

It was common to have basal dressing fertiliser and seeds being delivered well after the planting season had begun andin some cases wrong fertilisers were delivered at wrong times.

The recipient farmers will this year have no excuse for failing to cultivate the planned hectarage.

However, there are still some worrying issues regarding the final delivery to the intended beneficiaries by co-operatives or other agents chosen to do so by the community.

There have been many cases of co-operatives or is it "ghost" co-operatives obtaining the inputs in the name of poor villagers but neverdistributing the commodity to them.

Instead, the inputs have ended up on the black market for resale and in some cases, the fertiliser has been sold to farmers in neighbouring countries, leaving the locals without seed and fertiliser.

The other worrying aspect is that, some of the farmers who legitimately get the subsidised inputsalsosell the commodities knowing very well that Government will still supply them with food relief and more inputs the following season.

Hopefully, the measures that Government has this year instituted, which include the involvement of churches or traditional leaders in distribution and monitoring, will curb this vice.

The vices must be curbed because they have retarded progress towards achieving the objectives of providing support to poor but viable farmers.

The intention is that those who receive the inputs should eventually be weaned off the programme to allow for others to also join and benefit.

It must be recognised that the inputs support programme is not meant to last forever and it is crucial that traditional and church leaders help in the implementation at community level. Otherwise, the objectives may take long to achieve.