Fake fertilizer floods Nakonde

Fake has infiltrated the market in Nakonde district in Northern Province and is threatening crop production.

Nakonde district agriculture and cooperatives coordinator (DACCO) Mwenge Yamanda said the counterfeit fertilizer is believed to import from the neighboring countries.

Mr. Yamanda disclosed this in Nakonde yesterday when Agriculture deputy minister Allan Mbewe addressed agriculture staff at Old Fife offices.

The DACCO coordinator said some small scale farmers in the district have of late been victims of counterfeit fertilizers coming from the neighbouring countries.

He said his office is sensitizing the farmers on the need to buy local fertilizer from recognized dealers so as not to buy counterfeit fertilizer.

Mr. Yamanda has also told the deputy minister that farmers in the border town are happy with the good agriculture policies of the government which have enabled them to increase production.

He said crop production in Nakonde district has been increasing steadily adding that the district has continued to record bumper harvests for four successive years.

The DACCO however, appealed to the Government to increase fertilizer allocation to the district under the Farmer Fertiliser Support Programme so as to enable more small scale farmers to access the inputs and grow more food.

And agriculture deputy minister Mbewe has commended the agricultural staff in Nakonde for working hard in ensuring that farmers grow more crops for sale and home consumption.

Mr. Mbewe said agricultural staff in Nakonde have worked exceptionally well under difficulty circumstances such as eratic funding and lack of transport.

He however, said his ministry is committed to improving the working condition of its staff adding that Nakonde just like any other district without a utility vehicle will soon receive one.

He also disclosed that his ministry has procured motor bikes to be distributed to the block and camp agricultural officers across the country.

The agriculture deputy minister has also assured the farmers in Nakonde that the Government through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will buy off all the maize at not less than K65, 000 per 50 kg bag.

Mr. Mbewe who is accompanied by the Provincial agriculture and cooperatives coordaintor (PACCO) Luhamba Liyembani and Chief agriculture and research officer (CARO) Dr. Samuel Phiri is on his tour of districts in Northern Province to check on the performance of agriculture staff and farmers.

ZANIS