Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo
Phiri has clarified that the Government will phase out the Farmer Input Support
Programme (FISP) gradually as it plans to introduce agriculture loans.
Mr Phiri said the Government is looking
at introducing agriculture loans which will run concurrently with FISP.
He said this when he gave a ministerial
statement in parliament on the Government’s position on the future of FISP.
“We have a programme where we give out
free seed and fertilizer and we are saying this programme will go side by side
with the agriculture loans. And between the two the one which is more preferred
is the loan but this does not mean we are stopping FISP,” said Mr Phiri.
Mr Phiri also said that farmers who
will not be included on FISP should consider getting the agriculture loans.
He challenged the MPs to disseminate
correct information in their constituencies on the two Government programmes
which are aimed at supporting the farmers.
Mr Phiri added that farmers who are
benefiting from FISP will be required to sale the surplus produce to the Food
Reserve Agency.
“Going forward all those who are benefiting from FISP will be required to sell their surplus crops to the Government because these crops are subsidized. Let us give back to the Government that which we have been given freely,” The minister said.
Comments
Post a Comment