Maravi

Small-scale farmers describe 2008 inputs distribution as ‘worst’ ever

Small-scale farmers describe 2008 inputs distribution as ‘worst’ ever
Written by Fridah Zinyama, Gillian Namungala and George Zulu
Friday, January 02, 2009 3:15:35 PM

NATIONAL Association of Peasant and Small Scale Farmers of Zambia (NAPSFZ) has described this year's inputs distribution exercise as the worst since the fertiliser support programme (FSP) was implemented.

And Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF) president Webster Shamfuti has warned that he will take to court co-operatives that will be caught selling farming inputs under FSP.

In an interview, NAPSFZ president Rogers Phiri said this year’s fertiliser distribution exercise was the worst as the vulnerable farmers who are the intended beneficiaries had not accessed the inputs.

“The FSP this year has not reached the intended beneficiaries because of poor distribution mechanisms which have been implemented this year,” he said. “I fear that small scale farmers’ contribution to the nation’s food basket will be negatively affected this year.”

Phiri complained that most of the co-operatives that had applied for farming inputs had not been given the seeds and fertiliser.

“Even when the inputs are given to the farmers, they are in reduced quantities which are not enough for the farmers,” he said.

Phiri said agricultural production in Zambia would be negatively affected if the implementation of the programme continued in the same manner in the coming years.

“To avoid a reduction in contribution by small scale farmers, government should ensure that they revise the FSP and put in place distribution mechanisms that will work to the benefit of the farmers,” he said.

And Phiri added that this year’s food production would be further negatively affected due to high prices of fertiliser and rising interest rates which were making farmers operate beyond their budgets.

And Shamfuti who expressed sadness at the rampant reports of theft of farming inputs however, said statements being issued were not accompanied by facts.

“Let’s not turn into a talking industry. We must act so those with facts should bring them forward so that they are taken to court,” he said.

Shamfuti who said co-operatives had so many branches said it was difficult to identify co-operatives that were involved in theft of farming inputs.

“We have branches in co-operatives, primary society, district and provincial so when they talk of co-operatives, let them specify and name the co-operatives,” Shamfuti said.

He, however, said investigations were underway in areas were reports of theft had been reported.

Shamfuti said reports had been received from Choma, Monze and some areas in Central provinces on the alleged theft of subsidised faming inputs.

And authorities in Monze district have expressed surprise at the number of small-scale farmers claiming to have been left out of the government supported FSP despite having paid for the inputs.

Acting Monze district commissioner Holland Musanka said he was surprised at the high number of farmers flocking to his office to register their disappointment for not having accessed inputs under FSP.

"Some farmers have been coming to my office complaining that they have been left out from the FSP beneficiaries. But again these farmers have already made payments for the inputs, so I have asked for a thorough report from the DACO's office on how the distribution exercise was carried out because the government had allocated enough inputs to carter for the farmers who had registered and subsequently shortlisted to benefit," said Musanka.

And Bweengwa UPND member of parliament Highvie Hamududu has threatened to organise a peaceful demonstration in protest against the non-availability of farming inputs in the district.

Hamududu said it was unfortunate that the government had allowed a non-workable system for the distribution of inputs.

Yesterday, agriculture minister Dr Brian Chituwo also expressed disappointment at reports of thefts of farming inputs in some areas.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, FERTILIZER, FSP, HIGHVIE HAMUDUDU, HOLLAND MUSANKA, MONZE, NAPSSFZ, ROGERS PHIRI, WEBSTER SHAMFUTI, ZCF

posted by MrK @ 3:16 PM