President Rupiah Banda has assured farmers that fertilizers and other agricultural inputs for the next farming season will delivered early and in large quantities in order to boost food production in the country.
President Banda said the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) government was committed to ensuring that agriculture becomes the mainstay of Zambia’s economy.
Addressing a public meeting on arrival at Chief Mwanachingwala’s palace in Mazabuka district today, President Banda said fertilizer and seeds will next farming season be given to farmers in good quantities throughout the country.
He said government will also ensure that it buys off the agriculture produce from farmers because this was a sure way of empowering them economically.
The President, who was received by Chief Mwanachingwala, Southern province minister Daniel Munkombwe, senior government and MMD officials at the palace, also said the creation of the ministry of Livestock was meant to improve the livestock sector in the country.
President Banda is accompanied to Mazabuka by Livestock minister Bradford Machila, Commerce minister Felix Mutati and Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga.
He is in Mazabuka at the invitation of chief Mwanachingwala of the Tonga people of that district.
President Banda reiterated that the MMD was in a pact with the people of Zambia and not two or more political parties coming together.
He said the MMD government has achieved a lot economic gains since he became president.
He said it was now up to the Zambians to judge government’s performance based on what has been achieved so far.
The President told the public meeting that he will always talk to potential voters regardless of their political affiliations in order to garner more support for the ruling party.
President Banda said the MMD was the only strong party because it has stable structures throughout the country.
And during the same meeting, President Banda welcomed over 100 cadres who earlier had left the MMD to join the opposition parties but have rejoined the ruling party.
He said it was pleasing to see so many people rejoining the ruling party, a demonstration of the confidence they have in the MMD.
One of the defectors, a Ms Chibilika, told the gathering that she and others have returned to the ruling party because they have realized that the opposition political parties have nothing to offer.
Meanwhile, Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe warned that anybody who will attempt to challenge President Banda for presidency will be suffocated by the convention pressure.
Mr. Munkombwe said no MMD member vying for the party presidency will be physically harassed at the convention but pressure will be too much for them to handle at the convention.
He said President Banda was the only credible candidate who will ensure victory for the MMD in the 2011 parliamentary and presidential elections.
ZANIS
I have been following stories and pictures in the Post Newspaper of Zambia with interest.
So far I am unable to see if the Newspaper abides by some moral or ethical codes.
Is there some media association in Zambia to regulate the display of Zambian culture and ethics through media – respect for elders, for example?
I do not understand why the former president or the current one can be easily disgraced.
I thot he would be talking about marketing strategy of the current crop/harvest. I will go there and get most of the harvest at my own price!
Campaign season ka?….. iyoyeve izavuta, Excellency Bwezani. 😕
“Meanwhile, Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe warned that anybody who will attempt to challenge President Banda for presidency will be suffocated by the convention pressure.”
Magande,this one is for you.The POST wont be there to rescue you from Munkombwe and the crew.I feel for you.
# 2 and 3 The President is addressing issues affecting us Zambians. Whats wrong with you?? I thought issues of food security should come first for any serious leader. Clearly you are feeling the heat 2011 here we come Again!! Watch the space.
Keep it Mr. President Sir, You have so far managed to unite the Country why should people run away from their own Country??, but for you yours is to ensure that those who peddle messages of hetred are not allowed to devide the Nation.You have Scored 100%
This is good for us trully patriotic Zambians”President Rupiah Banda has assured farmers that fertilizers and other agricultural inputs for the next farming season will delivered early and in large quantities in order to boost food production in the country.”
You are ahead of them!!. Wina azalila mu 2011 koma niba Banda lini ni uyu wa fwaka-Satana
RB must remember or learn the acronym SMART when making his plans. All plans must be SPECIFIC (S), MEASURABLE (M), ATTAINABLE (A), REALISTIC (R) AND TIME BOUND (b) or Time frame. The speech of the President lucks all these basic requirements of a plan. He has said fertilizer will be give in LARGE QUANTITIES. What is large according to him? 4 pockets like last year? He said it will be delivered early. What is early to him? Dec like they did last year? omission of this information goes to show that the speech was empty talk. Un thought and an planned. Watch out Zambins!
Is this not the same RB who was recently boosting to Zoellick the World Bank President that he has cut the amount of fertiliser support he gives to farmers? Why the turnaround now? May be RB is just a liar who preaches different things to different people!