Maravi

Chipata farmers urge govt to spearhead crop diversification

Chipata farmers urge govt to spearhead crop diversification
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sunday June 15, 2008 [04:00]

CHIPATA District Farmers Association (CDFA) chairperson Ignatius Nyasulu has appealed to the government to spearhead crop diversification initiatives to reduce dependence on maize. In an interview, Nyasulu said Zambia was capable of producing enough food for both local consumption and export. "We are concerned with the rising food prices but as Zambia, I think we can avoid this if only the government can take keen interest in sponsoring cultivation of other food crops other than maize," Nyasulu said.

He said the government should stipulate clear guidelines of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) so that farmers could benefit from it.

Nyasulu also said briefcase buyers had flooded Chipata thereby taking advantage of the government's delay to open the maize market.

"All we are saying is that our farmers should be patient because the market has not yet been opened and the government should open the market as fast as possible," he said.

And Chadiza District Farmers Association chairperson Stanley Sakala said the district would not record a bumper harvest this year because of poor rainfall in the last farming season.

Sakala advised the government to start distributing fertilizer to farmers as early as possible to enable them prepare for this year's farming season.
"People should start getting subsidised fertiliser now and these inputs should not be politicised," said Sakala.

Labels: CEEC, CHIPATA, FARMERS, FOOD, INFLATION

posted by MrK @ 6:22 PM