By NATION REPORTER
ZAMBIA may suffer consequences of shortages of maize and other agro-produce in 2024 due to late distribution of fertilisers, Pambashe Member of Parliament Ronald Chitotela has warned.
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Making his contributions to debate during the Vice President’s question time yesterday, Mr. Chitotela said it was worrying that to date, parts of Luapula Province have not received fertilisers.
He said what government ought to know is that in Luapula rainfall has already started and already in its second to third week, but farmers are yet to receive the vital agricultural inputs.
“We may suffer the same consequences we are suffering now in 2024 again. People in some parts of Luapula have not received fertilisers up to now and it has already started raining,” Mr. Chitotela said.
But government has said as far as it is concerned, fertilisers have been distributed, unless there are some unforeseen challenges. Vice President Mutale Nalumango in response to the Mr. Chitotela’s concern said: “As government, we are sure that fertiliser is already out there. If there is a challenge, let us work together to resolve them.”
She said government does not want to have a repeat of the 2022/2023 farming season where there were delays in the distribution of inputs. She said government has put in place short-term and long-term measures to ensure a seamless system of distributing inputs.
And on Thursday, Mr. Chitotela said there is fake fertiliser on the market, which is costing cheaply.
“Meteorological data is key for farmers’ planning. Early last week we saw a screaming headline on ZNBC that police had unearthed a scam of fake fertiliser on the market which was very cheap.
“And the information will be used by farmers for preparation. I can speak on behalf of Kawambwa. Last week we had three consecutive days of rainfall and farmers have not received fertiliser in the wake of possible rains. Has the data been shared so that farmers utilise it?” the law maker asked.
This was after Mr. Collins Nzovu, the Minister of Economy and Environment, made a statement on the country’s weather preparedness.
In response to Mr. Chitotela’s question, the minister said: “I know he is making some insinuations and deliberate accusations. The UPND government is very methodical. We have supported the Ministry of Agriculture, even though I am not the minister of Agriculture, fertiliser is with the farmers. Where I am coming from, in Nangoma, fertiliser has been received.”
Mr. Nzovu said being a cabinet minister, he could confirm that most of the fertiliser was with the farmers and appealed to Members of Parliament to ensure that there was food security by equipping farmers with information on the country’s weather pattern.
In his statement on the weather, Mr. Nzovu said rainfall may be scarce, and temperatures high while some places may experience floods.
“It is important that the weather is monitored closely. We will be issuing a 10-day weather advisory. This calls for more vigilance. It is imperative that appropriate measures are applied such as promotion of climate smart agriculture and water harvesting and storage,” Mr. Nzovu said.
He said the weather forecast will be translated into the seven local languages and will be shared on social media.
Mr. Nzovu said all districts will be equipped with automatic weather stations.
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