The Ministry of Agriculture has hinted that there might be an extension given to small scale farmers participating in the 2019-2020 farmer input support program following an outcry from farmers across Zambia.
According to the Zambia National Farmers Union in a statement obtained by Money FM farmers from Chongwe and Rufunsa districts say they need more time to organize the deposit, as many will fail and not benefit on the program.
In Chongwe about close to 17,000 beneficiaries, only slightly over 5000 farmers have managed to make the deposits, meaning less than 50 per cent of the expected number would benefit from the program.
And Speaking in an interview with Money FM, Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo indicates that he will make the official statement regarding the complaints from small scale farmers during the flagging off of the distribution of farming inputs tomorrow.
Mr. Katambo says he did not want to pre-empty the ministry’s position on whether or not there will be an extension or not.
The deadline for making deposits in the Farmer Input Support program for the 2019/2020 farming season is today the 30th of September, 2019.