LUTO FARMERS VOW TO SHARE MEDAS OF FERTILISER
FARMERS in Luto ward of Wusakile constituency in Kitwe who have been left out on the list of those to get the 2022 agricultural inputs have vowed that they will share the few bags of inputs with those who were on the list to get the agricultural inputs.
Luto ward Councillor Rogers Chanda has said those who have been left out have vowed to share the few bags of fertiliser which will be given to the area and that if it meant getting “Medas” from the bags, they will do so.
In an interview in Kitwe at the weekend, Mr Chanda had a difficult time to restrain farmers from getting into a physical fight over how the inputs will be shared because they were not happy with the distribution of agricultural inputs and wanted to turn it into a “free for all affair.”
“Now, you see, those who have been left out cannot accept the situation and are now saying that they will share the few bags given to farmers in the area even if it means sharing Medas, they will share Medas. Now, what kind of harvest can you get from a Meda of fertiliser? This kind of behaviour will plunge this country into serious hunger and poverty.
“Because of poverty and hunger, we are likely to see high levels of criminal activities in communities. To tell you, the truth, it is shameful for a government that bragged so much to be wise and intelligent, but only to fail to put in place well defined agricultural policies, set the stage for poverty alleviation and food security,” Mr Chanda said.
Mr Chanda said the more than 500 farmers in the area were frustrated and agitated that the UPND which promised to deliver agricultural inputs on time and increase the allocation of bags of fertiliser to farmers had failed to honour its campaign promise and was on the brink of plunging the country into serious hunger.
Mr Chanda said the “drama” and circus that had characterised the distribution of 2022 agricultural inputs was a disappointment to the farmers and so the new dawn administration must work hard to avoid such confusion in next agricultural season.
He said late delivery of agricultural inputs and inconsistent statements from government officials over the distribution of agricultural inputs had not only disappointed the farmers, but had also reduced the whole thing to drama and circus.