Agriculture Expert, Gilbert Banda has expressed concern with reports of Agro- dealers conniving with farmers in the exchange of inputs for cash, saying that it undermines governments efforts to support small-scale farmers through initiatives like the Farmer Input Support (FISP).
Last week, Minister of Agriculture, Ruben Mtolo, issued a stern warning to farmers and Agro-dealer engaged in the malpractice.
Speaking an in interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Banda urged farmers to be honest, saying that the inputs they receive from government contribute to national food security.
“The farming inputs distributed by government are not just for individual benefit but the are the cornerstone of national food security and farmers must use them as intended,” said Mr. Banda.
He called for collective efforts to uphold the objectives of government programs and ensure that the resources provided reach their intended beneficiaries
By Elizabeth Mutale
