Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Treasury has released K104 million to pay agro dealers supplying inputs to farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme.
Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo who has confirmed the development to Q-news says the funds were released on Wednesday, 19th December, 2018 by the Ministry of Finance.
Mr. Katambo says the ministry has been having a challenge with some agro dealers who have been refusing to give farmers farming input because they have not been paid.
And the minister has disclosed that a total of 900,000 farmers out of the targeted 1 million under FISP have so made their K400 contributions towards FISP and are receiving the inputs.
Mr Katambo adds that it’s anticipated that the rate of deposits by farmers will increase by the end of the month.
He has further disclosed that the ministry of agriculture through the seed certification and control institute has developed seeds that are drought resistance taking into account the current rain pattern.