It’s difficult to reduce fertiliser prices, says Rupiah

It’s difficult to reduce fertiliser prices, says Rupiah
Written by Christopher Miti in Chipata
Monday, December 15, 2008 5:10:53 AM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda says it is very difficult for the government to reduce the price of fertiliser because the price of the commodity internationally was very high.

Speaking to journalists at Chipata airport yesterday, President Banda said the government would try to make fertiliser available in the country.

“Now that the price of oil has come down, we are hoping that our next order of fertiliser again will be cheaper than was the case last time but again this is seasonal; we can only do that next season. For this one, we are already late,” said President Banda

He said a solution to the rising food prices lay in growing enough food.

“We can try to reduce the prices of the farming inputs but unfortunately, most of the farming inputs are coming from very far away. Even if we order them today, they will take a long time before they get there. But whatever can be found locally, we will try the seeds and fertilisers...by next year we will try to give ourselves food security because the prices of food will continue to be rising even next year so the best is to grow enough food,” said President Banda.

On the hunger situation affecting some parts of the country, President Banda said the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit was on the ground to assess the situation and give out the figures where the most food was required.