Government has been urged to consider increasing allocation of agricultural inputs for vulnerable but viable farmers to address the negative effects of the rising poverty levels in affected communities.
The call is from beneficiaries of the Food Security Pack, FSP, under Programme Against Malnutrition, PAM, who strongly feel that the population of vulnerable farmers has increased in recent past.
The concerned beneficiaries were speaking when National Steering Committee, comprising officers from ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, Women for Change, Program Against Malnutrition and Zambia Council for Social Development visited Kabamba and Chibobo areas in Serenje yesterday.
One of the beneficiaries, Chisala Kayumba, of Kabamba area, who received one bag of fertilizer and maize seed, said the program was well meant for vulnerable but viable farmers to help them improve on the food security levels.
Mr. Kayumba told the committee that included District government officers and leaders of implementing Non Governmental Organizations, Lala Land Mission and Serenje Ecumenical Council that many peasant farmers were failing to adequately care for their families due to increased poverty levels.
He said the assistance of the FSP from government was helping a lot as many beneficiaries were able to send children back to school.
Another farmer, Fridah Chisala, of Chibobo where three groups received chickens and goats for the ‘pass on program’, praised government for the program saying it would help reduce effects of HIV/AIDS on rural people.
About ten goats were given to Chibobo main, while Chikele received 11. Chibobo community Church alsogot 20 hens under the same program.
And addressing the audience at Kabamba basic school, Chief Kabamba of the Lala people of Serenje, urged his subjects to work hard to address poverty.
Chief Kabamba pointed out that laziness and too much beer drinking should be discouraged because they could deter efforts of eradicating poverty in thje area.
Chief Kabamba advised beneficiaries to utilise the programme in line with its objectives iin order for the community to derive maximum benefits from it.
“If you find one stealing maize bring him to my palace will punish him. I will make him eat two gallons of maize raw,” he warned.
”I know there is less food this year, My area is likely to face hunger and therefore do not sell all your maize. Those that have little should not even sell because they may land into terrible hunger,” he said.
Chief Kabamba is right. Farmers really don’t need to sell their products if they can afford to store it. When hunger strikes, everyone else, including the government will come begging from them.