Chief Mungaila urges early input distribution

Chief Mungaila of the Ila speaking people of Namwala district has appealed to the government to immediately start the distribution of inputs for the 2014/2015 farming season .

Chief Mungaila told ZANIS in an interview at his palace yesterday that timely distribution of inputs  would enable the farmers prepare adequately for the next agriculture season.

He noted that delays in input distribution was the major reason why his area might face serious hunger now and early next year due to poor maize harvest recorded in the area during the 2012/2013 farming season saying the situation might require relief food.

“  I personally thank the government for delivering farming inputs early to the district this year and  I just want to appeal to the government to start the distribution exercise to farmers so that they can prepare adequately  unlike the last farming season when inputs where received late resulting in poor maize harvests in my chiefdom,” said Chief Mungaila.

Government has since delivered 26,168 X 50 kilo gram bags of basal dressing fertilizer to Namwala district under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

The government is however yet to deliver top dressing fertilizer to benefit small-scale farmers in the 2014/2015 farming season.

Meanwhile, Chief Mungaila  has confirmed that preparations for the annual Shimunenga traditional ceremony have progressed.

Chief Mungaila said the ceremony will be attended by senior government officials among many other invited dignitaries from 18^th to 19^th October, 2014.

“ I wish to inform everyone that the  annual traditional Shimunenga ceremony will take place from 18th to 19 October this year,” said His Royal highness Mungaila.