We’ve managed to support farmers - Councillor

GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Agriculture has this year managed to support 11,337 small scale farmers in Lusaka district from the 12,137 farmers who deposited money through the E-voucher system for inputs, says Munali Constituency Chakunkula ward 22 councilor, Smart Mwitwa.

Speaking at the weekend during the sixth North East Block show which was held in Chakunkula ward under the theme “Sustainable Economic Empowerment”, Mr Mwitwa said the farmers who deposited some funds managed to access various inputs to improve their yields. “I want to assure you farmers that government is doing everything possible to facilitate the payments for farmers whose cards could not be activated.,” Mr Mwitwa said.

He also encouraged the small-scale farmers in the ward to continue diversifying their agriculture activities to enhance the country’s sector to alleviate poverty. And North East Block show committee chairperson Colonel Sam Fuliwa said agriculture was a business venture which could be sustainable not only for household security but also for national food security adding that it contributed greatly to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Col Fuliwa thanked government for the continued support to farmers through various interventions such as Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) which had assisted small-scale farmers to develop their small holdings and sustain their business and families through diversification.

Col Fuliwa appealed to government to ensure that challenges faced by farmers last year such as late delivery of inputs and failure to activate the E-voucher cards on time do not happen this farming season.