By Isaac Zulu
The distribution of farming inputs and payments to farmers were horribly handled by the Patriot Front government, Major Ben Phiri has charged.
Speaking to Daily Revelation, Maj Phiri pointed out that the Patriot Front administration failed to effeciently execute the Farmer Input Support Programme, leading to the country failing to attain sustainable food security.
Major Phiri stated that the Farmer Input Support Programme benefited a few individuals in the PF government and their associates.
“I always say that food security is all about distributing the right food at the right time to the right receipts. Unfortunately under the Patriot Front government personal interest took centre stage. And this is why I keep on saying that these people glorified corruption like a ritual,” charged Major Phiri. “In the distribution of fertilizer the Patriot Front involved too many handlers unnecessarily. This issue of importing fertilizer, for example, was benefiting only a few individuals in the PF government and their associates while the majority Zambian populace are suffering; particularly in rural areas.
Major Phiri also cited the late distribution of farming inputs and the use of the electronic voucher system in the distribution exercise, as some of the contributing factors that led to the Patriot Front administration failing to address the challenges in the agriculture sector.
“On paper farmers were being told they will get four bags of fertilizer. Two basal and two top dressing. But in reality they never used to get that. Some times they would go up to April next year before getting that fertilizer. This is what used to happen under the Paya Farmer, PF,” said Major Phiri. “You even bring in the E-voucher which has everything to do with electronic and network. But what about those access to network? It becomes a challenge. You cannot address challenges in the agriculture sector when you are creating bottlenecks in the process of distributing inputs.”
Major Phiri also expressed optimism that the UPND government will improve the agriculture sector because President Hakainde Hichilema has placed the right person as Minister of Agriculture.
“And I need to inform you Isaac that the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture is fully qualified in the job. Honourable Reuben Mtolo Phiri was a year ahead of me at Chizongwe Secondary School. He is a graduate from the University of Zambia with a degree in economics. He served as commercial manager at the height of Eastern Cooperative Union activities. Then he rose and became general manager at Eastern Cooperative Union before going to the Food Reserve Agency,” explained Major Phiri. “So he knows and understands the systems in the agriculture sector. That is the beuty about the UPND…they are putting the right people in the right positions. In the PF even somebody with a certificate in growing paprika would be given a ministrial position as Justice Minister. But President Hakainde Hichilema is placing the right people in the right positions with specific emphasis on one’s aptitude level.”
