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The delay in the distribution of farming inputs was worthwhile because government saved about US$150 million from the procurement of agro products, says the UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa.
Mweetwa, who is also Southern Province minister said fertiliser was costing about US$523 million and President Hakainde Hichilema decided that the government could still get it at a better price.
He said this decision led to serious negotiations which saw the government procure the same inputs at about US$370 million.
“This was as a result of lengthy negotiations with suppliers which resulted into something positive because millions of dollars were saved from going into the pocket of few individuals,” he said in an interview on Monday.
Read more: Kanchibiya lawmaker decries delay, low supply of fertiliser to constituency
Mweetwa also said that Ministry of Agriculture would soon advertise for supply of fertiliser for the next farming season so that companies could start biding.
He said the UPND was aware that some farmers were angry in some parts of the country because of the late distribution of farming inputs.
Mweetwa however mentioned that it was worth it because a lot of money was saved.
“The delay in the distribution of farming inputs was a teething problem,” he said.
Mweetwa said the government needed to confront the cartels that where not supplying the actual quantities and some where not reaching their target.
He said the issue of late distribution of farming inputs would be a thing of the past because the challenges that were affecting the process had been addressed.
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