RUFUNSA FARMERS CRITICISE FISP AGENTS

FARMERS in Rufunsa have complained about anomalies in the distribution of inputs by FISP agents.

One farmer, Mr. Chrispin Tembo told the Daily Nation that, FISP agents were allegedly taking advantage of poor farmers.

“We are getting 2 bags of D compund, 2 bags of Urea, one 20kg bag of groundnuts and 1x10kg of maize seed. Is this equivalent to the K2, 060.00? These people are abusing their privilege.

“We ask the government to look at this issue and help us. This will affect our expected yields. We planted seed that needed at least six bags of fertiliser, but we are receiving less.

“Why should they even force us to get seeds as if we are in the planting season. Don’t we have a say on what commodities we redeem? The agents must not force their products on us. Groundnuts don’”t do well in Rufunsa if planted after the month of December,” Mr. Tembo lamented.

Another farmer of Chinyunyu area in Rufunsa who sought anonymity equally bemoaned the reduced number of fertiliser bags being issued by the agents in the area during this farming season.

“We are being given 5 bags of fertiliser, one 20 kg of groundnuts and a 10 kg bag of maize seed. Why should government allow this?

“We got 8 bags of fertiliser last season and had a choice of what seeds to redeem, but we are surprised that the agriculture officers cannot even advise these agents. “They need to be told that we cannot grow crops like groundnuts after the month of December in Rufunsa. This means that we are paying for seed which we will not use,” he said. Most farmers spoken to by the Daily Nation aired similar sentiments and hoped government would monitor the e-voucher programme.

“The discrepancy in the input quantities is a serious source of concern,” one farmer said.