By NATION REPORTER
Neria’s Investments General Manager Martin Chaikatisha says the company is this year supplying 15, 703 metric tons of Compound D and 11, 613 metric tons of Urea to Muchinga, making the total of 27,317 metric tons for the province.
Speaking when Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo visited some storage sheds in Mpika, Mr Chaikatisha said the province will receive the total allocation of fertiliser by the end of May.
Mr Chaikatisha explained that 70 percent of the fertiliser is already the country at the company’s holding depots in Lusaka and Chipata, and the 30 percent is being ferried from Beira Port in Mozambique.
“We are working round the clock to meet the target and the trucks are delivering fertilizer to our regions of operation,” Mr Chaikatisha said
He said by next week, most sheds in provinces of the company’s operation will have fertiliser. Mr Chaikatisha said the company has included special labels on FISP fertiliser bags to curb thefts. He explained that the bags are clearly labelled ‘”not for sale’ as per government’s instructions so as to address the problem of malpractices.
And Mr Katambo said the supplier has made great strides in delivering the fertiliser to Muchinga Province.
Mr Katambo said inputs suppliers have been given a deadline of May 30 to complete delivery of inputs and he is happy that they are all working towards meeting the deadline.
“President Edgar Lungu who is a farmer himself, is mindful of the fact that inputs need to be supplied early for farmers plan properly, and has clearly indicated that he does not want farmers to complain of late delivery of inputs,” Mr Katambo said.
Mr Katambo has further warned stakeholders against engaging in malpractices during this year’s FISP inputs distribution exercise and that says those who will be found wanting will face the law.
And Agriculture Permanent Secretary Songwayo Zyambo said the ministry, through the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute is testing all the fertiliser supplied under FISP this year to ensure that it meets the requirements for use.
Meanwhile, Muchinga Provincial Agricultural Coordinator Dr Victor Mulopa said the region is in the process of cleaning up the farmers register to ensure that genuine farmers receive inputs.
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