— Govt. allocates 12,200 maize packs to Mazabuka District

Govt. allocates 12,200 maize packs to Mazabuka District

Mazabuka, June 22^nd, 2014, ZANIS —-   Government has allocated twelve thousand two hundred (12,200) maize packs to Mazabuka District under the Farmer Input Support Program.

In addition , 900 groundnut packs for distribution to farmers in the 2014/2015 farming season has also been given to the district.

District Commissioner Eugene Munyama disclosed during the Munenga Block Agriculture show in Chief Mwanachingwala,’ s area yesterday.

Mr Munyama said that the allocation of inputs to the district represents an increase of 1,491 farmers that are expected to benefit from the input program.

He emphasised that the inputs allocated is a government initiative aimed at supporting farmers to improve the household food security.

He added that it is hoped that they would collect them before the onset of the first rains

Mr. Munyama added that with the arrival of the farming inputs, government expects a bumper harvest in the 2014 /2015 farming season.

Mr.Munyama further stated that the year 2014 has been a favourable one for Mazabuka like other district adding that from the country’s bumper harvest of 3,350,671 metric tons recorded, Mazabuka contributed 73,303 metric tons of maize.

he warned farmers to be on the lookout for unscrupulous business persons that will approach them with the view of buying their produce at very low prices not recommended by government.

The district Commissioner further advised farmers in the district to ensure that they have their cattle vaccinated against the foot and mouth disease as well as the East Coast fever disease.

Munyama disclosed that already, the department of Livestock in the district has targeted to vaccinate a total of 7000 calves in all the veterinary camps in the area against the same diseases this month.