Agro input subsidies remain – Chenda

Agro input subsidies remain – Chenda

Kasama Jun 21/13, ZANIS——Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Emmanuel Chenda, says government has not withdrawn subsidy from   agricultural inputs.

Mr Chenda said this in Kasama during the official opening of the Patent and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) regional office.

Mr Chenda said government brought the Farmer Input support Program (FISP) in order to reduce on poverty levels among small scale farmers in the country.

He explained that government has only asked farmers to pay a little more than they used to pay in order to increase the sense of ownership among farmers.

The minister was, however, quick to mention that the subsidised farming inputs are only meant to benefit small scale farmers and not the commercial farmers.

Mr Chenda disclosed that government has only withdrawn subsidy from fuel and maize in order to improve the living standards of people, especially in rural areas.

He said the money from the subsidy will go towards improving the infrastructure which will in turn attract investors in the country.

Mr Chenda has since assured farmers that the process of this year’s marketing season will soon start.

He said the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is putting all logistics together in order to start buying maize from farmers in the country.

The commerce minister was in Northern Province to officially open the Patent and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) regional office.