MAL officers urged to be proactive

MAL officers urged to be proactive

Isoka, February 14, 2015, ZANIS… Agriculture and Livestock Permanent Secretary David Shamulenge has called the Ministry’s staff in Isoka district of  Muchinga Province to be proactive on project implementation.

Dr. Shamulenge made the call in Isoka district yesterday when he met the District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO)  Victor Siame, during his continued tour of Muchinga Province on Farmer Input Support Programme  (FISP) implementation verification.

ZANIS reports that Dr. Shamulenge admitted that farmers are supposed to be paid early for them to adequately plan for  the subsequent season, while inputs are also expected to be delivered by August to facilitate early distribution to far flung areas of the district.

Dr. Shamulenge assured the DACO that Muchinga Province will be given first priority in input distribution due to its bad terrain and ensure that distribution is complete before most roads become impassable.

The PS also said that he will ensure that seed companies who had a challenge this season double their efforts to make the commodity available along with fertilizers to avoid storage costs if fertilizer is to be kept for a long time before seed is brought to the district.

Dr Shamulenge said that there was need for private sector involvement in both input distribution and crop purchases from farmers for the viability of the two programmes.

Dr. Shamulenge said that he will look into the plight of Isoka district to ensure that the local youths benefit from programmes coming to the district in terms of employment.

He said when he made a courtesy call  on the District Commissioner Joe Siwila at his office yesterday.