Maravi

Fertiliser shortage hits Northern, Southern districts

Fertiliser shortage hits Northern, Southern districts
By Joseph Mwenda
Mon 07 Feb. 2011, 04:00 CAT

TOP dressing fertiliser is in short supply in Mkushi, Serenje and other parts of Northern and Southern provinces, triggering increased prices for the commodity.

The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) says it has received increased complaints from commercial and other unionised farmers over the shortage of both urea and basal fertiliser.

According to ZNFU, urea and basal fertiliser is now fetching K210,000 and K230,000 on the market respectively, from K180,000 and K210,000 per bag in December 2010 and January this year.

“Fertiliser shortages have continued affecting a number of farming districts. In Mkushi and Serenje, the deficit supply situation has resulted in rising prices for both urea and basal fertilisers,” said the farmers union.

It said the situation was worse in Northern Province, especially in Mpulungu, Mungwi, Mbala, Kasama and Mporokoso.

“Our members in Luwingu, Chinsali, Isoka and Nakonde have also called our offices to complain of the fertiliser shortage while similar complaints have also been received from other farming districts like Mazabuka in Southern Province,” it said.

ZNFU said the situation was worrying especially that the right time for applying the input was quickly running out.

Labels: FERTILIZER

posted by MrK @ 4:23 AM