Govt. grants FISP inputs in North Western Province

Govt. grants FISP inputs in North Western Province

Solwezi, July 8, 2013, ZANIS — Government has allocated over sixty thousand packs of fertilizer to small scale farmers in north western province under the farmer input support programme (FISP) for the 2013/2014 agricultural season.

Provincial minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu  said that there was  an increase in the number of maize packs that farmers will get under the FISP from last years’ allocation of 55, 080 to 60, 240 packs.

ZANIS reports that Mr Mubukwanu said  this during the provincial agriculture, mining and industrial show held in Solwezi District , over the weekend.

He said under the same allocation farmers will also receive 1,500 ground nuts packs and      3, 660 rice packs.

The minister said the province has started receiving the basal dressing fertilizer for the 2013/2014 farming season.  

He assured farmers that government is ready to support efforts aimed at improving agriculture in the country hence its continuation of the farmer input support programme.

Mr Mubukwanu also explained that government has taken measures to reduce subsidies in the agriculture sector so as to redirect resources to the development of the agriculture industry and other sectors of the economy.

He stated that farmers who will not be able to pay cash for the inputs will be allowed to exchange two bags of maize for fertilizer for either one bag of basal or top dressing fertilizer.

Government has revised the farmer contribution for a bag of fertilizer from K50 to K100 with effect from the 2013/ 2014 farming season.