Over 1, 000 farmers in Mpongwe get farming inputs
By LINDA SOKO TEMBO ABOUT 1, 048 farmers have so far received their farming inputs in Mpongwe with the number expected to rise, district agriculture coordinator, Hosia Chibalamuna has disclosed.
In an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Chibalamuna explained that Mpongwe had the highest number of farmers in the country at 18, 630 and it was important that the farmers were given all the necessary attention from the Ministry of Agriculture.
He said that about 5, 432 farmers so far had deposited their K400 contribution using mobile providers Zoona, MTN and Airtel Money after ensuring that they had successfully registered with Paycode Zambia Ltd.
“The farmers deposit their K400 through the mobile service providers Zoona, MTN and Airtel Money after they register with Paycode Zambia Ltd then a code is assigned to each farmer so they are able to redeem successfully their inputs using codes,” he said.
Mr Chibalamuna said so far, Mpongwe which had about 18, 630 farmers and so far over 11, 222 had registered and verified with Paycode Zambia Limited.
He said the 1, 048 that had received the inputs were using codes and not E-Voucher cards to redeem their seed.
Mr Chibalamuna said farmers had delayed in receiving inputs which would affect their farming season and that a solution had to be found where they were able to redeem their inputs without using cards which had delayed to reach the district.
He expressed hope that farmers would start receiving their E-Voucher cards soon.