Posted Oct 14, 2009
Namwala, October 14-ZANIS-THE Food Reserve Agency [FRA] In Namwala District has so far bought a total of 53,273 by 50 kilogrammes of maize from the seven designated depots in the District.
District Agriculture coordinator Mr Godwin Chate explained that farmers were still bringing maize for sale adding that more bags of maize are expected to be bought before the close of this years’ maize marketing season on October 31, 2009.
Mr Chate told ZANIS in an interview today, that he has not received any complaints from farmers pertaining payments which he said indicates that things were moving on smoothly.
Mr Chate also disclosed that the distribution of fertilizer under the new programme called the farmers input support programme would commence next week.
“We need to sensitize farmers about the new government guidelines before we start the distribution exercise by next week,” Mr Chate said.
Governenment has made a number of changes in the distribution of farming inputs through such measures as the introduction of agriculture camp committee who would be responsible for identifying bon fide farmers to benefit from the inputs.
This measure is also aimed at ensuring that there is transparency and accountability in the whole distribution of farming inputs in the country.
Ends/ZANIS/FM.