Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Maize field
Government says it is keen to address the high cost of production in the agriculture sector which is affecting most farmers in the country.
Speaking during the launch of the 2015/2016 farming season in Shimabala area in Kafue District today, Agriculture Deputy Minister Maxas Ng’onga says government is aware of all the challenges faced by farmers and remains committed to addressing them.
Mr. Ng’onga says this is the more reason why government is promoting the production of fertilizer locally as a way of ensuring that the fertilizer offered to farmers is cheaper and reaches them on time.
He says there is need for farmers and other stakeholders to work with government in finding solutions to the challenges they face by submitting ideas of how to address them.
Mr. Ng’onga states that government has also diversified the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP) by including other crops such as rice, soya beans, sun flower, cotton, groundnuts, and beans among others.
Speaking at the same event, Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) President Dr. Evelyn Nguleka says the greatest challenges faced by farmers is the high cost of farming inputs, chemicals, seeds, agro equipment and the delayed rainfall.
Dr. Nguleka says the changes in the weather pattern calls for diversification of crop production by moving away from depending on maize production.
She has encouraged farmers to consider venturing into sun flower farming and help in the production of edible oils which she says can help in stabilizing the country’s economy.