Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:28:15 +0000 By OSCAR MALIPENGA GOVERNMENT, through the Ministry of Agriculture, still owes fertilizer suppliers, seed companies and transporters K2 billion, says Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya. Ms Siliya broke down the amount in Parliament yesterday as K1.67 billion owed to fertilizer suppliers, K332.9 million to seed suppliers and K8.4 million to the transporters. Updating Parliament on the implementation of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for 2016/2017 agricultural season, Ms Siliya explained that the delays in the distribution of inputs under the conventional FISP had been due to the late release of funds for the programme. She said the delay subsequently resulted in delayed payments to seed and fertilizer suppliers as well as transporters for inputs and services provided during the 2016/2017 agricultural season. Ms Siliya said the supply and deliver of inputs under conventional FISP could not commence until the arrears had been settled. “In addition, the major suppliers […]
