Govt pays agro dealers over k500 million

Livestock and Fisheries Minister Michael Katambo

Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo has revealed that government has so far paid over 500 million kwacha to agro-dealers under the E-Voucher system.

Mr. Katambo has told Parliament in a ministerial statement that as at 4th February,2019, a total of 998, 791 representing 99.9 percent of the targeted one million farmers in both E-Voucher and direct input supply districts had successfully deposited their contribution.

Mr. Katambo says a total of 854,799 farmers redeemed their inputs.

And Mr. Katambo has described the 2018-2019 E-Voucher distribution program as a success despite the challenges in the implementation of the programme.

Mr. Kafumbo attributed some of the challenges in delivering all the required quantities of legume seed on time to failure by some contracted suppliers to source for seed.

And the Minister has warned all agro-dealers who have mismanaged the 2018-2019 agricultural season that they risk being blacklisted.