Zimba reminds govt of need to consult before issuing SIs
Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Jervis Zimba has reminded government of the need to consult before coming up with any statutory instruments that involve framers in the country.
Mr. Zimba says the Statutory Instrument on borehole levy is an impediment on the part of small scale framers.
He has stated that President Edgar Lungu will not achieve his goal of diversifying and growing the agricultural sector if he allows quasi government institutions like the Water Resource Management Authority (WARMA) to collect monies from small scale farmers through unfair means.
Mr. Zimba has since called on the government to consider reversing the SI’s number 18 and 20 that will require people pay borehole levy of about K25,000 beginning next month.
Meanwhile Mr Zimba says the Livestock and agriculture sector face a number of challenges that require the serious attention of government in order for diversification to be achieved.
He was speaking during the Poultry Association of Zambia 16th annual general meeting in Lusaka.
Officiating at the event, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Kampamba Mulenga said government is committed to ensuring that it provides a conducive environment for the sector’s growth by providing a listening ear and formulating policies that are responsive to the needs of the sector.
And Ms Kampamba expressed happiness that the broiler industry grew by 8 percent from 77.6 million in 2016 to 83.2 million in 2017, adding that from April to June this year,336 metric tonnes of hatching eggs valued at k17 million and 22 metric tonnes of day old chicks valued at K14 million were exported to the great lakes region and SADC.
And outgoing Poultry Association of Zambia national Chairperson, Rhodnie Sisala noted the need to focus on strengthening and consolidating the domestic as well as the export markets for poultry products.