DESPITE the slow 2024/25 rainy season, the Ministry of Agriculture has remained optimistic of good fortunes regardless and is encouraging farmers to say focused by implementing measures that will optimise the limited rainfall.
Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo also called on farmers to plant drought tolerant crops.
“This will enable our farmers to be resilient towards the effects of climate change. All farmers planting or replanting now are guided to plant early or ultra early maturing seed types.” Mtolo said via a statement.
“We also suggest that farmers should plant drought resistant crops such as Sorghum, Millet and Cassava to enhance household food security. Further, the Ministry is actively working on irrigation development and other initiatives aimed at enhancing the agricultural sector’s resilience to the effects of climate change”
Meanwhile, the minister announced the successful completion of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) beneficiaries’ verification exercise for the 2024/25 farming season.
The exercise, which ended on December 20, 2024, saw 1,024,434 eligible farmers, including 208,594 first-time beneficiaries have been onboarded.
These farmers, whose names will be published soon by the ministry, are expected to contribute to national food security by selling at least 10 x 50kg bags of maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba December 30, 2024
