Farmers in Solwezi district of North Western Province have advised government to set up a depot for them to supply maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

The concerned farmers says they cannot afford to transport their maize to the nearest depot as it was expensive.

Representing the aggrieved farmers of Kambowo area was  Jonas Kalema who during an interview said that  despite not receiving the usual good rains, residents in the area still harvested significant maize that they would like to sell to government.

” We harvested some maize that we would like to sell to government through FRA, but the challenge is the distance to the nearest depot, some people would only like to sell ten bags, but they are charged K3,000 for transportation , so if we can have a depot nearby, it can help,” Mr Kalema said.

The farmers also appealed to government to deliver farming inputs in good time so that they can prepare early for the 2024/2025 farming season.

Some of the farmers complained of inadequate farming inputs while others complained of their Co-operatives not benefiting last farming season.

They also complained that despite applying for fertiliser under the credit window, they were not considered.

They however thanked government for the early input delivery in the previous season.

“We are grateful to government for delivering the inputs in good time last farming season but we are appealing that they do the same this year, “He said.

And Acting District Commissioner (DC) Anthony Fulwe assured the farmers of government support through opening of a depot.

Mr Fulwe said government is In need of maize stock following the poor harvest this year due to climate change. He assured the farmers that government would buy all their maize.