The Zambia National Farmers Union says there is need to sensitize farmers on how to access funds under ‘Mechanization Fund’ and ‘Irrigation Fund’.
ZNFU Media and Public Relations Manager Calvin Kaleyi says the farmers are not accessing these funds because they lack information.
Mr. Kaleyi says the onus is on all the stakeholders including the government and farmers’ unions to ensure that they educate the farmers on these funds that can go a long way in promoting mechanization and irrigation.
The ZNFU Media and Public Relations Manager said this when he featured on Money FM Business Radio’s Power, Policy and Money Programme that airs every Mondays and Thursdays at 9hrs.
Mr. Kaleyi said this should not be left to the government alone but that all stakeholders should take it upon themselves to help the farmers.
He said the farmers cannot develop if they continue using traditional methods of farming but that they need to embrace mechanization and irrigation which can be done by way of accessing the Mechanization and Irrigation Funds.
“There is Mechanization Fund sitting at the Ministry of Agriculture as well as the Irrigation Fund under the Irrigation Development and Support Project (IDSP). These funds can be accessed by the farmers but most of them are not aware of this hence the need for all of us stakeholders to educate the farmers on such funds,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ZNFU Media and Public Relations Manager said policy inconsistency in the agriculture sector discourages farmers.
He added that issues to do with bans of export of maize and mealie meal are some of the issues that are hindering the growth of the agriculture sector.
Mr. Kaleyi said closing the borders discourages the farmers and hence the need for the government to ensure that they motivate the farmers to produce more.

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