THE Government has distributed about 90 per cent of the 100,000 tonnes of fertiliser to various parts of Zambia for the next farming season and reiterated its commitment to growth of the national economy through agriculture.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Brian Chituwo said that distribution of seed by transporters countrywide started on Saturday last week and was expected to be completed before the end of this week.

He said in an interview yesterday that, in some areas where it had not delivered the fertiliser, it was as a result of lack of storage facilities but said arrangements were being made to ensure that the inputs were delivered.

Dr Chituwo said the farmers should take keen interest and check with distribution points to access the fertiliser and seed. The Government wanted the inputs to be distributed to the farmers to avoid late planting.

"I can confirm that we have distributed almost 90 per cent of the 100,000 tonnes of fertiliser in various parts of the country while the balance is expected to be distributed in the course of the week," he said.

The minister assured the farmers throughout the country of its commitment to supporting small-scale farmers through provision of inputs.

Last week, President Rupiah Banda directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to ensure that farming inputs for the next farming season were distributed to farmers on time.

Mr Banda, who was speaking during the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) 104th annual congress said he would not accept any excuses for failure to distribute the inputs to the farmers on time.