Farmers who engage in banana schemes are better off than those who grow maize-Panji Kaunda

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President Michael Chilufya Sata talks to Transport, Communications deputy minister Panji Kaunda (r)

Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda has implored small scale farmers to practice crop diversification and stop depending on maize growing.
Speaking in a telephone interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Kaunda said small scale farmers should venture in growing others crops such as bananas and cassava.
He explained that most farmers fail to diversify from maize because of the farmer input support programme.
Mr Kaunda observed that most farmers depend on farmer input support programme hence their unwillingness to diversify into other crops.
The deputy minister cited banana growing as one of the schemes that can enable small scale farmers earn a living.
He insisted that farmers who engage in banana schemes are better off than farmers who grow maize on an annual bases.
Mr Kaunda explained that banana farmers don’t need to replant compared to maize farmers thereby serving on resources.
He said local farmers should consider engaging in growing crops that will make Zambia become a producing country.
Mr Kaunda said once Zambia becomes a food basket the dollar will be weak compared to the kwacha.