Audit delays FISP distribution
GOVERNMENT says the 2021/2022 FISP distribution has delayed because it wants to establish through an audit how much has been supplied by the companies that were contracted by the previous government, Agriculture minister, Mtulo Phiri has said.
Mr Phiri said the audit which was instituted weeks ago is expected to finish by the end of this week so that the distribution of FISP can be launched.
In an interview, Mr Phiri however said government wants to know how the process was being done in past years for the sake of transparency .
He said the awarding of contracts to some companies was done dubiously as some companies failed to deliver the commodity on time which effected some farmers.
The minister said government has since opened up borders to ensure that the country has a wider market of crops that will stimulate the production and how the production is going to meet in terms of demand.
Mr Phiri said his ministry will find a platform to actualize the Agriculture production in Zambia.
“The 2021/2022 FISP distribution has delayed because government wants to establish through an audit how much has been supplied by the companies that were contracted by the previous government,” Phiri has said.
And Mr Phiri has since commended the partnership with Zambia National Service ( ZNS) which he said will be an instrument to the ministry that it can use to actualize the production of crops.
He said ZNS is well placed in the agriculture production and the collaboration will help the ministry to do better as it will have more knowledge in maize production .
Mr Phiri said ZNS has been a disciplined service from history and also involved in the production of maize and other agriculture products.
He said the opening up of the export of various crops such as maize grains, soya beans, sun flower cake among other crops by government will now allow every citizen with an export permit to export any product.