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—Choma District Agricultural Coordinator, Goliath Chooye, says Choma District has received over 33 000 by 50 kg bags of basal fertiliser for the 2014/2015 farming season.
Mr Chooye says the distribution of the commodity has since commenced with a total of about 100 farmers having received so far.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Choma today, Mr Chooye said the district has over 24, 335 small-scale farmers earmarked to benefit from the farming inputs this season.
“Each of the targeted beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) will receive two bags of basal and top dressing fertiliser with a 10 kg bag of seed,” he said.
He said government had since engaged eight contractors to ferry the commodity to various locations within the district where beneficiaries would easily access it.
Mr Chooye said top dressing seed was expected in the district before the end of September to ensure that farmers receive all required inputs before the onset of the rainy season.
He, however, noted that farmers in the district were happy with government’s efforts of ensuring that farming inputs were distributed on time.
Meanwhile, Choma District Commissioner, Bernadette Hamweemba, said the quick distribution of the farming inputs for the 2014/2015 farming season is clear demonstration of government’s desire to fulfil its promises to the Zambian people.
Ms Hamweemba, who also flagged off the distribution of the inputs to farmers in the district, said government will continue to ensure that the plight of small scale farmers is adequately addressed through timely provision of farming inputs.
“As government we are committed to the welfare of small-scale farmers who depend on FISP for their agricultural activities, therefore as earlier promised farmers in the district will receive all the inputs before the commencement of the rainy season,” she said.
Ms Hamweemba added that government has fulfilled its obligation of providing farming inputs on time and the lot now remains on all Zambians to pray for adequate rainfall in order to record a bumper maize harvest.
