Lungu warns against exploiting farmers

President Edgar Lungu has warned input suppliers and agro dealers against exploiting farmers either through exorbitant prices or expired inputs.

The Head of State issued the warning in Mbabala Constituency in Choma District today when he officially launched the Electronic voucher system for the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP) an initiative of the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU).

President Lungu says government has provided direction and has put in great effort to ensure that funds are available and the programme is implemented successfully.

He says suppliers have indicated that delayed payments by government are factored in and have led to the high prices under the FISP, stating that he expects the prices to be charged under the E- Voucher to be more competitive and not rise unreasonably.

President Lungu says the E-voucher system will be implemented in thirteen districts as a pilot.

He has noted that support under the FISP over the years has been limited to fertilizer and seed for crops namely compound D and Urea fertilizer and seeds for maize, rice, sorghum and groundnuts.

He states that this approach will change under the E-voucher system in line with government policy of diversifying agriculture and giving prominence not only to crops and food security, but fisheries and livestock as well

Speaking earlier, ZNFU President Evelyn Nguleka says farmers are grateful that government has chosen to ride on the ZNFU Visa Card Platform to produce, distribute and maintain over 200, 000 cards to FISP beneficiaries in the 13 pilot districts.

Dr. Nguleka expects that the FISP E – Voucher system and the ZNFU prepaid Visa Card will help in deepening agro-dealers supply networks, and provide cost effective and safer payment solutions to farmers by commodity traders.

And Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda says government was initially owing farmers who have supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency about K700, 000 but that the treasury released in excess of K800, 000 to pay farmers.

Mr. Lubinda has encouraged farmers who will not receive their payments within 14 days after supplying their maize to report to their respective banks or the office of District Agricultural Coordinator (DACO).