By Staff Reporter
Colonel Panji Kaunda has urged Zambians to be innovative during this economic crisis, saying small scale farmers could do more with organic manure and even urine to grow their plants than always relying on chemical fertilizer.
Speaking with Daily Revelation over the deal he has clinched with chain store, Shoprite, to supply them with Agricultural produce, Col Panji said even if the country tries to source for cheaper sources of fertilizer given how costly the commodity is, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the inputs for fertilizer like phosphate, would also not come cheap as the two countries involved in the war are also major producers of the same.
He said the country must begin to think of alternatives like using organic fertilizer, especially for those involved in small scale farming, saying the government must encourage a drive in that direction to reduce dependence on FISP, which some used as a conduit for corruption.
Col Panji said he has won the contract with Shoprite by just using organic fertilizer which has been yielding good produce for him at his Sindamisale farm.
“You can even use urine. Your own urine. How many of us use our urine for Agriculture? We just throw it in the toilet,” Col Panji said, adding that it was a great source of urea.
He said the same animal manure when added to water in the bio-digester and left to foment for days can be used to produce gas for cooking, with the remaining liquid being used for other crop production.
Speaking specifically on his Shoprite deal, Col Panji said one must adhere to high standards to qualify for the contracts and must work on consistency. He said he was right now supplying watermelons and would also add vegetables and other farm produce to that.
“Just to encourage everyone to improve standards, not to go for substandard crops. Be careful not to poison produce because of too many chemicals being used nowadays,” said Col Panji.
