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10,000 to benefit from ZNFU fertiliser scheme in Southern Province

10,000 to benefit from ZNFU fertiliser scheme in Southern Province
Written by Henry Chibulu in Mazabuka
Monday, August 24, 2009 6:39:17 AM

ABOUT 10,000 small-scale farmers in Southern Province will benefit from this year's Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) credit scheme under its Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP).

Southern Province ZNFU Manager, Clement Phiri yesterday said the programme which had already been launched in the 11 districts of the province was meant to supplement government efforts in the provision of subsidised inputs to farmers.

He explained that under the loan agreement, farmers would be required to pay 50 per cent down payment for the total package while balance would be settled after harvest.

Phiri called farmers to take advantage of the flexible conditions being offered by his organisation.

Meanwhile, Phiri has asked the government to revert to the old system of using cooperatives to apply for fertiliser under FSP.

He said the introduction of the Camp Agricultural Committee to identify beneficiaries was ineffective and would only derail the distribution of the inputs to farmers.

Phiri regretted that to date, the District Agriculture Committee which was suppose to endorse the beneficiary communities from all the satellite depots dotted in the district had not sat to look into the fertiliser applications.

Phiri said that the slow pace at which the programme was being implemented had become a source of major concern to ZNFU.

Labels: CLEMENT PHIRI, FERTILIZER, SOUTHERN PROVINCE, ZNFU

posted by MrK @ 5:41 AM