Replant with certified seed, Scott urges army worm affected farmers

Vice-president Guy Scott has urged farmers whose fields were invaded by army worms to ensure that they replant certified seed.

Dr Scott said farmers should not be tempted to replant uncertified seed because this will result in poor crop yields next year.

The Vice-President said this in Lusaka yesterday when he received a donation of 58 metric tonnes of maize seed from Pannar Seed Zambia worth over K700 million.

He said Government is worried that some farmers, especially those in rural areas, might have started replanting their fields with maize seed meant for domestic consumption.

Dr Scott said Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is working round the clock to ensure that it distributes certified seed to affected farmers.

He commended Pannar Seed Zambia for the donation, describing the company as a patriot.

And Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) national coordinator Patrick Kangwa said Government is on course in the distribution of 2,000 metric tonnes of certified seed to farmers in the 36 affected districts.

Mr Kangwa said the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has so far managed to spray chemicals in all the 36 districts which were invaded by army worms.

He also said DMMU has received reports of army worms attack from four more districts, bringing the total number of affected districts to 40.

Mr Kangwa said affected farmers should collect seed for replanting from the office of the district disaster management committee.

He is optimistic that all affected farmers will receive the seed in the next two days.

Pannar Seed Zambia representative William Smith commended Government for the manner in which it has responded to the army worms invasion.

Mr Smith said the company has recalled its employees from the Christmas break to ensure that they process as much seed for affected farmers as possible.

And Chongwe member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo commended Pannar Seed Zambia for the seed donation, adding that people in her constituency are anxious to replant.