Lubinda counsels small-scale farmers
Published On May 22, 2015 » 1513 Views» By Administrator Times » HOME SLIDE SHOW, SHOWCASE
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.LUBINDA

.LUBINDA

By HOPE BWALYA –

AGRICULTURE and Livestock Minister Given Lubinda has appealed to agriculture stakeholders and unions to sensitise small-scale farmers to be cautious when selling their produce in order to maximize their benefits.
Mr Lubinda said this is going to create a win-win situation for everyone in the value chain as the producers depend on the consumers and vice-versa.
He was speaking during the agriculture stakeholder consultative meeting on crop marketing modalities and diversification under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for the 2015/2016 season.
“I call on farmer unions to sensitise the small-scale producers and grain traders who buy from these farmers, as this will create a win-win situation for everyone in the value chain,” he said.
Mr Lubinda challenged the agriculture stakeholders to be more practical in the implementation of
resolutions they would come up with.
He cited an example of the FISP and that it had taken more than 12 years for members of the committee to sit for their first meeting since its inception in 2002.
Meanwhile, Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute Executive Director Chance Kabaghe said there is a possibility that the small-scale farmers would have a better price when selling maize this season.
He assured the nation that the maize stock would not affect the meali- meal price, but that other factors might.
Policy Monitoring and Research Center executive director Bernadette Deka urged the ministry to be cautious when exporting maize.
She also appealed to farmers to get value for their crops especially when it came to selling to the private sector.

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