Siavonga DAO commends govt for farming inputs

SIAVONGA District Administrative Officer (DAO) Sokoloku Daka has commended Government for delivering the 2018/2019 farming inputs on time.

Mr Daka disclosed that the district received its allocation of inputs in October 2018.

He explained that the early delivery enabled farmers to access farming inputs timely.

However, Mr Daka complained that the dealer engaged to distribute the farming inputs is slow in distributing the agro inputs.

The District Administrative Offer said this when Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Jean Kapata paid a courtesy call on him.

Meanwhile, Mr Daka appealed to the Minister to consider procuring a vehicle for the Forestry Department.

He stated that lack of transport is adversely affecting the operation of the department.

Mr Daka revealed that most of the time, the department relays on transportation from line ministries.

In response, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources said she is delighted to learn that Siavonga district received its inputs in October last year.

Ms Kapata said its Government’s intention to ensure that farmers receive inputs early.

She encouraged the district administration to contact the Ministry of Agriculture in an event of hurdles in the distribution of farming inputs.

And commenting on transport challenges faced by the Forestry Department, Ms Kapata revealed that the ministry is in a process of procuring vehicles that will be distributed to the Forestry Department.

The minister said she is aware of the transport challenges that Forestry Officers face in their day to day operations.

Ms Kapata noted that once vehicles are procured, transport challenges will be a thing of the past. - .