PARAMOUNT Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people in Northern Province has expressed concern over the delay in the delivery of urea fertiliser under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in some parts of Mungwi District.
Chief Chitimukulu said the late delivery of top-dressing fertiliser might negatively affect crop yields for the 2015/2016 farming season.
He has since advised the Government to address what he termed as ‘inertia’ in the distribution process.
Chief Chitimukulu made the remarks when Vice-President Inonge Wina paid a courtesy call on him at his palace yesterday.
The Paramount Chief further urged the Government to increase investment in the country’s agriculture sector to sustain national food security.
Ms Wina regretted the delay in the delivery of farming inputs in Chief Chitimukulu’s area.
She said the development was saddening, especially that the country was looking up to the Northern region to supply the food basket this year because of the poor rainfall in the southern part of the country.
The Vice-President has since assured Chief Chitimukulu that Government will urgently look into the matter.
Ms Wina said her office, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), remains committed to guaranteeing food security in Zambia.
She said the Ministry of National Development and Planning was seeking the counsel from traditional leaders to improve the agricultural sector.
Earlier, sub-Chief Chimba dismissed speculations by some sections of society suggesting that the Bemba Royal Establishment was supporting a named political party.
Chief Chimba, who is Bashilubemba’s chairperson, reiterated that the establishment was a non-partisan institution which should not be politicised.
Meanwhile, Ms Wina, who is on a three-day official visit to Northern Province, is tomorrow expected to visit Nsama and Mbala districts. –ZANIS