Govt kicks-off distribution of farming inputs in Southern Province, warn against abuse

Government has began redeeming and distributing of farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for the 2023/2024 farming season in Southern Province.

Southern Province Agriculture Coordinator, Maxwel Choombe, said the government had instituted measures to prevent farmers from selling and sharing farming inputs that would be distributed under the FISP.

Choombe said this during the launch in Zimba District of Southern Province on Monday.

“No farmer will be allowed to share or sell their inputs as doing so will lead to serious punishment such as being deregistered and blacklistedd from the beneficiaries list,” he said.

Choombe called on farmers in the province to ensure that they planted certified seeds and not recycled ones as it was the sure way of having better yields next year.

“In Southern Province, the recommended variety of seed is medium and early maturing, let us make consultations with agriculture experts in your areas and ensure that we plant the right seed,” Choombe said.

He further advised farmers from the Gwembe Valley to focus on planting early-maturing varieties due to the low rainfall patterns that are expected to be experienced in the region.

Zimba District Commissioner, Rabson Mulamfwu, said the government would be delighted to see farmers that would collect inputs fully participate during the 2023/2024 farming season.

Mulamfwu assured farmers in Zimba, that the government through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) would prioritise the buying of maize from farmers who are on the FISP list.

He urged farmers to ensure that they practiced conservation farming as they prepare for next year’s farming season.

“Early land preparation is key to better yields, let us ensure that we practice conservation farming during the forthcoming farming season,” Mulamfwu said.

Meanwhile, Zimba Council Chairperson, Loveness Chigora, said the early distribution of inputs was a fulfilment of the UPND government’s campaign promise.

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