Where are the imputs? Ask Chongwe farmers

By JOHN KOMBE FARMERS in Chongwe waiting for e-vouncher card activation are worried that if the delay is not addressed, their crops may not do well thereby affecting food security.

Mr. David Ngoma a farmer, of Kanakantapa farming bloc told the Daily Nation in an interview that the government had not lived up to its promise.

“We were assured that, last season was a learning season and things would be different this season, but the opposite is the case. Is the learning period not over yet?

“We need the basal dressing fertiliser now otherwise our crop will not perform well,” Mr Ngoma said.

Another farmer from Chilyabale village, Mr. Njobvu asked the government to give updates on the situation. "Even our agriculture extension officers do not seem to have answers.

“We need information so that we plan well. Some of us planted early thinking that we were going to receive the fertiliser in time. We bought seed and planted to take advantage of the early rains, but we can't afford the fertiliser.

“Government needs to speed up the process otherwise we will be disadvantaged. Some of our friends have not even planted because they are waiting for both seed and fertiliser. For them it must be very confusing. A farmer must not be in a state of despair as this leads to loss of morale," Mr. Njobvu said.

Other farmers talked to by the Daily Nation expressed similar sentiments.

The District Commissioner was not available for comment by press time. He was said to be in a Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit meeting.