‘KEEP US ON FISP UNTIL NEXT YEAR’

WE are appealing to Government not to wean bene ciaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) this year but next year, two Mkushi headmen have said.

Headman Robert Musonda and Gonerry Machasa said in separate interviews that government should seriously look into this matter.

ey said Government should consider extending the bene tting period by one year so that those who have clocked three years should be weaned next year.

ey noted that inputs were delivered late last farming season and that this had a ected the crop yield for most farmers.

e headmen said there were still some farmers who had not collected their inputs, saying this had contributed to the prevailing hunger situation.

“We are appealing to Government to extend the bene tting period to - Headman next year for those bene ciaries who have reached three years to compensate the loss su ered during the previous farming season,” said headman Musonda.

e two headmen thanked the government for FISP which they said had helped small scale farmers to grow food for consumption and for selling.

e headmen thanked President Edgar Lungu for remaining committed to enhancing agriculture productivity in the country.

There were still some farmers who had not collected their inputs, saying this had contributed to the prevailing hunger situation.