Farmers receiving inputs – Simuusa

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Wylbur Simuusa says the distribution of farming inputs for the 2014/2015 season under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is progressing well.

Mr Simuusa has since refuted media allegations saying farmers have not started receiving their inputs.

In a ministerial statement delivered in parliament today Mr Simuusa said seeds that have been supplied to farmers so far are maize, rice, sorghum and groundnuts.

Mr Simuusa said about 4,000 metric tons of maize seed has been distributed to famers in most parts of the country.

He said 10 percent of rice and sorghum seeds have already been distributed while delivery of groundnut seed is underway.

Mr Simuusa also said 44 percent of D Compound and 50 percent of Urea have been secured for distribution to farmers.

He said the remaining percentage of fertilizer will be available before the end of the year as transporters have already loaded the commodity.

Mr Simuusa said close to K500 million has also been paid to farmers that supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

The Minister said K900 million has been sourced from the treasury to pay the balance to famers before the end of the year.