By NAKUBIANA MUMBUNA –
PARAMOUNT Chief Mpenzeni of the Ngoni people in Eastern Province has thanked Government for dispatching D-compound fertiliser for the 2014-2015 farming season on time.
Eastern Province has the highest requirement for D-compound fertiliser under the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP) this year pegged at 19,178 tonnes.
Chief Mpenzeni said; “Yes, I can confirm that the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) has dispatched the D-compound fertiliser for the Farmers Input Support Programme in the province though they have not yet distributed it to the farmers.”
The Paramount Chief, however, said that he was informed that the distribution of D-compound fertiliser to farmers would be done by early next month.
“We are very thankful to the Government for ensuring that the fertiliser is dispatched on the time, this is a very good development.
“It is my hope however, that the fertiliser is adequate for all the farmers, “the chief said.
NCZ last week revealed that it has almost completed the dispatch of a total of 19,147.40 tonnes of D-compound fertilizer to Eastern Province from the required 19,178 tonnes.
Deputy Minister of Agricultural Greyford Monde Last month said distribution of fertiliser to farmers would begin by September.
He said Government would ensure that the farming inputs under the FISP reach the farmers on time.
NCZ two weeks ago had already dispatched a total of 58,000 tonnes of D-compound fertiliser to provinces.
Distribution of fertiliser is expected to continue as production continues.