By 
The onset of rains in Chipangali District has thrown farmers into panic and uncertainty following government’s failure to provide them with farming inputs.
Chipangali District Council Chairperson, Maxson Nkhoma, said the situation did not speak well for a country that depended on farmers for national food security.
Nkhoma, in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, said that to date, the process of depositing money for farming inputs remained incomplete, even though the rains began in the second week of November.
He expressed concern and disappointment over the continued delay in paying farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in Chipangali.
“These hardworking men and women are now stranded, unable to access seed, fertilizer, and chemicals at the most critical time of the farming season,” Nkhoma said.
He urged the government to stop ignoring the cries of farmers and act with the urgency the crisis demanded.
Nkhoma warned that if the situation was not addressed immediately, the 2025/2026 farming season risked becoming one of the worst in recent years.
“Failure to provide inputs now will translate into hunger next year, as most small-scale farmers are simply unable to plant,” he said.
Nkhoma noted that checks in most areas of Chipangali District showed that only tobacco had been planted, while maize fields remained empty because farmers had no inputs.
He added that while his office acknowledged that a few farmers had collected inputs through the e-voucher system, the numbers were far too small to make any meaningful impact in the district.
“Our farmers deserve better. Their sweat feeds the nation. It is time for decisive action,” Nkhoma stated.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments