Lungu assures farmers of timely delivery of inputs
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has assured farmers in Zambia that his government will not relent until all farming inputs were delivered to them before the rain season.
And President Lungu has urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to quickly finalise all initial preparations for this year’s markerting season and ensure farmers were paid on time for the supply of crops.
He said this in Mpika at Malashi village of Chief Chikwanda yesterday when he graced the national agriculture field day.
The President said his government will not relent until farming inputs were delivered in all the provinces before the 2021/2022 farming season.
Speaking earlier, Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo said government was not sitting idle on the rising prices of farming inputs.
Mr Katambo said government was engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure that prices of farming inputs like fertilizer is reduced.
Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Jervis Zimba thanked
President Lungu for the support he has continued to render to farmers after donating two tractors to a host farmer, Lewis Mpundu and the Mpika District Farmers Association.
And the host farmer, Mr Lewis Mpundu thanked the President for the gesture and appealed to Chief Chikwanda for more land to utilize the donated tractor well for the benefit of all.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Kopa, Luchembe, Mpepo, Mukungule, Chiondaponde, Chikwanda, Kabinga, Mpumba and Chief Nabwalya said they were happy with the way President Lungu was presiding over the affairs of the country. Speaking on behalf of the other traditional leaders, Chief Nabwalya said they were united and in full support of President Lungu’s government for having delivered development in the region.