Australia has partnered with the World Bank to provide support to poor Zimbabwean farmers, the Australian High Commission in Pretoria said on Monday.

In a statement, the High Commission said Australia would provide US$7-million to the World Bank Global Food Crisis Response Program to expand maize production and food security in Zimbabwe during the 2009-10 summer cropping season.

The program would distribute quality certified maize seed to more than 300 000 poor smallholder farmers across Zimbabwe.

Australia's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, John Courtney, said Australia's contribution to the program was part of a co-ordinated donor community effort that was an important first step to support the recovery of Zimbabwe's grain production.

"Up to 17 non-government organisations will distribute these seeds to poor farmers in time for the coming planting season to expand planted areas and raise crop yields in the communal areas," Courtney said.

"Boosting farmers' capacity to meet their household grain requirements will help reduce Zimbabwe's dependence on expensive grain imports and food aid," he said.

Courtney said the program would complement those of other donors and directly support the agricultural sector revitalisation plan outlined in the Inclusive Government's Short Term Emergency Recovery Plan.

"This program builds on the extensive experience of all participants in distributing seed and fertiliser to farmers under humanitarian programs," he said.

While most of the seed would be distributed directly to smallholder farmers, the project would also support the revival of rural retail markets for agricultural inputs through a seed voucher program.

"Under this strategy the project will support the sale of 280 tonnes of hybrid maize seed through rural retailers in exchange for seed vouchers provided to some 28 000 needy rural families," Courtney explained, adding that his country and the World Bank worked in close partnership to reduce global poverty.

He said Australia had been at the forefront of international efforts — both political and humanitarian — to assist Zimbabwe and, since the establishment of the inclusive government a little over one year ago, had provided more than 20 million Australian dollars in assistance.