THE REPEAT OF LAST FARMING SEASON’S FAILURE, IS UNCALLED FOR.
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26, October, 2024| Saturday.
A mistake repeated more than once is a Decision – Alex Roberts.
It is my duty to speak out against the government’s failure to provide adequate support to our farmers. One of the most pressing issues we are facing is the shortage of fertilizer to cooperatives under the Farmers Inputs Support programme (FISP) and the most disturbing part of it is the loudness of government’s SILENCE. It is unacceptable that some beneficiaries on the Copperbelt specifically Kalulushi, Luanshya & Lufwanyama Districts a good number of famers have still not received the support they need to properly cultivate their crops.
I have been reliably informed that the finances are in place for the purchase of fertilizer & other inputs/implements, yet farmers are still waiting for their supplies and when it comes, still comes in shortages. This is a clear indication of mismanagement and negligence on the part of the government. Does the President really know that our farmers are the backbone of the economy, and they deserve to be given the tools they need to succeed?
I urge the Republican President H.E Hakainde Hichilema to take this year’s farming season with the seriousness it deserves and avoid what the nation went through in the previous farming season. The success of our agricultural sector is crucial for the well-being of our nation, and we cannot afford to let our farmers down in a manner Ba Hakainde Hichilema naba Mtolo Phiri are doing. It is time for the government to prioritize the needs of our agricultural sector and ensure that farmers are properly supported early.
Furthermore, I call on the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct a thorough research on the climate changes affecting our nation. It is important that our farmers are well-informed about the best seeds and crops to grow in different regions to avoid preventable disasters like the drought we experienced last farming season. By providing our farmers with the necessary information and resources, we can help them mitigate the impact of climate change and improve their yield.
In conclusion, it is time for the government to step up and support our farmers. We cannot afford to neglect the needs of those who work tirelessly to feed our nation. I urge the government to take action and ensure that our farmers are given the support they need to thrive.
We need to work together to build a strong and prosperous agricultural sector for the benefit of all Zambians twapapata.
MUNTHALI FAITH.
NATIONAL CHAIRLADY; CITIZENS FIRST PARTY/ UNITED KWACHA ALLIANCE (UKA)