By Burnett Munthali
LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-Farmers in Lunkhuswe Block Kapara Tobacco Scheme in Chipata have not accessed their farm inputs from November 2021 up to January 2022 after having paid for logistics and shares/fees amounting to ZK500.
Other farmers got their seed but ranging from one to two cups of seed instead of 10kg pockets of seed. Some farmers received a half 50kg bag, one 50kg bag, others three 50kg bags of fertiliser instead of a full pack of six 50kg bags of fertilizers and one 10kg seed. The majority of the people never get a full pack at all.
Reports indicate that some leaders (camp leaders such as CAC chairpersons) were selling these inputs which were supposed to be given to farmers.
Some cooperatives and clubs did not redeem their seeds or fertiliser packs which they were supposed to plant up to date 04/01/2022.
A vehicle registered ALB 8058 was spotted at Kapara Scheme loading seeds from CAC chairperson’s house between 12th and 18th December 2021 during the day.
The matter was reported to Police but no action was taken. The police did not even bother to come forward to investigate and it was believed there was huge connection in this scandal.
The camp officer was using cooperatives and club members to work in the field as big as ten acres which she claimed was a demonstration plot yet it was hers but the harvest solely went into her pockets.
The camp officer was wrongly using the fertilisers meant for the beneficiaries.
Those who did not participate in the said demonstration plot were denied to access the farm inputs after they had paid everything.
In view of this the new dawn government is being asked to step in and investigate what is going on in Lunkhuswe Block as this has been going on since 2019.
Food security packs for the old aged, widows and disabled people were not being distributed. It was reported that the packs were being sold. The whole truck load destined for Kapara ended up into the hands of wrong people leaving out the rightful beneficiaries.
The corrupt activities mentioned above have been happening for years in Lunkhuswe Block and the habit seems to be continuing.