And President Banda has noted that the supply of irrigated maize this
year is critical to ensuring the stability and supply of the staple
food.
Addressing a meeting at the Country Club in Mkushi yesterday, President
Banda assured commercial farmers that the Government was ready to
assist them market their wheat.
I am aware that there is need to support our wheat farmers, to ensure
that their produce is sold on timely basis to enable them obtain
financing for the next crop.
I have been informed of the problem arising from the excessive wheat
imports and therefore directed my minister of Agriculture to look into
this matter in collaboration with law enforcement agencies
immediately, he said.
Zambia has 80, 000 tonnes of wheat at various storages.
The wheat output has risen from 30, 000 tonnes in the 90's to 190, 000 tonnes last year.
President Banda said the Government would engage banks and other
financial institutions to support wheat farmers so that they do not
lose the production momentum.
We shall engage banks and other financial institutions to ensure that
they support the agro industry in general and farming in particular so
as to unlock the vast agriculture potential and to diversify the
economy, Mr Banda said.
On irrigation, President Banda said the initiative was a key element in
the agriculture strategy and the Government was determined to expand
its hectarage through this initiative by 100, 000 a year.
He said the Government was aware of the importance of fertiliser in the
farming sector and would continue with the Fertiliser Support Programme
to assist small-scale farmers increase production.
However, Government is not happy with the management of this well
intended programme because of poor supervision which has resulted in
the misappropriation and late distribution of farming inputs, Mr Banda
said.
He said the Government was also concerned about the high fertiliser
prices and expressed hope that the situation would change because of
price reductions on the international market.
Earlier, when he toured Damust Farm which is owned by Joe Daka,
President Banda was happy to learn that commercial and small-scale
farmers had managed to grow more maize despite the global economic
crisis.
The Mr Banda was impressed with the extensive agriculture activities in the district.
He directed Dr Chituwo to ensure that extension officers delivered quality services to the Zambian people this year.
And Dr Chituwo was happy to note the amount of commitment and
investment that commercial farmers had made in the Mkushi farming bloc.
Earlier, a representative of commercial farmers, Simon Hunt urged
Government to assist the farmers in the marketing of wheat and address
the issue of the increase of Zesco tariffs because it would affect the
industry negatively.
The president was accompanied by Dr Chituwo and other senior Government officials.
Times of Zambia
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