THE Small Scale Farmers Development Agency (SAFADA) has expressed optimism that the newly appointed Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri will transform the agriculture sector and lead small scale farmers into a transition process that allows them to advance in agriculture.
SAFADA executive director Boyd Moobwe said his organization now has higher expectations from the ministry than in the past, especially to turn the agriculture sector into a climate change resilient and diversified sector.
He said in an interview yesterday that farmers were also expectant that under the new dawn, the price of fertilizer would soon drop to K250 from around K800 before the onset of the rainy season as promised by President Hakainde Hichilema during his campaigns.
“We congratulate Mr. Phiri on his appointment as Agriculture Minister. We expect the ministry of agriculture to deploy its technocrats and qualified agriculture specialist to work with SAFADA in the best interest of small scale farmers in Zambia. Mr. Mtolo Phiri as a new minister of agriculture must make a difference by protecting farmers’ interest in agriculture,” Mr. Moobwe said.
He suggested to the Government to make sure that the low pricing of farming inputs did not affect output price but allow the market force to determine prices.
Mr. Moobwe said the Government should not subsidize farming inputs but instead create an enabling environment such as the establishment of a Bank where farmers should have access to financial loans to invest in agriculture with a reasonable interest rate.
Mr. Phiri also recommend the adaptation of new technology and innovations in agriculture and that measure should be put in place to help small scale farmers to advance in agriculture.
Mr. Moobwe said it was imperative for that the Government take serious consultation with stakeholders in the agriculture sector to discuss among other things market floor price, the reduction of taxes on farm produce and inputs.
He further urged Mr. Phiri to recommend the adaption of new technology and innovations in agriculture and that measures should be put in place to help farmers advance in agriculture.
Mr. Moobwe said to compliment the Government’s effort in enhancing the agriculture sector, SAFADA would extend its support systems to youths and women interested to invest in agriculture after training through the world Youths and Leadership Foundation and other agriculture institute of learning.
