Over 300 small scale farmers in Luanshya district have cried foul over the non- receipt of fertilizer and seed under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
Spokesperson for the 300 farmers, Godfrey Ndalima, told ZANIS that the affected famers had paid in full for their packs but to their surprise, they did not get their allocation.
Mr. Ndalima, who is also a trustee at Kankwiba cooperative society, said about 160 x 10 kilogrammes of seed and 768 x 50 kg of compound “D” fertiliser were not issued to the affected farmers.
He lamented that most of the peasant farmers who depend on farming will face starvation.
He noted that even if Nyiombo Investments had to replace the inputs, it would be too late to use them in this farming season.
Luanshya District Commissioner George Kapu said he had received a report on the matter.
And Nyiombo Investment Copperbelt regional manager Martin Chaikatisha said the problem was caused by the theft that allegedly took place where the inputs were kept before distribution.
Mr. Chaikatisha said he carried out a forensic audit about the missing inputs and got a report from his officers that there was a break-in at the shed.
He said his company will do everything possible to replace the inputs which will eventually be distributed to the affected farmers.
ZANIS
muleikalafye, you mean you cant find your own.
Dis na new scenario in mi country E. Nawakwi in her decampaigning of the m^^D in 2006 once said “we deliberately suplied fertilizer to the farmers in february towards elections so that most of the pipo will not have food and they will have to look to the govt. for help hence the govt will give them free food and score points during the vote buying”So this is not new in the system just know that by-election will take place in that costituance where farmers have been affected.