THE Government has completed the distribution of seeds to the small-scale farmers that were affected by the army worms late last year.

Agriculture and Livestock Minister Emmanuel Chenda said the Government had completed the distribution of seeds to the affected farmers who encountered the army worms, adding that farmers have so far managed to replant their fields.

The Government provided about K15 billion (KR15 million) to buy seed and Mr Chenda said the Government places the issue of food security on the top of the agenda, hence the distribution of seed to the affected farmers.

Apart from the seeds to help the farmers to replant their fields, the Government also sprayed the fields of the farmers.

Mr Chenda said the weather had been favourable.

"We have distributed 99.1 per cent of the seed. I would like to state that we have completed the distribution of seeds to the affected farmers and they are now able to replant their fields and others have already done so," he said.

Late last year, the army worms invaded farms in some parts of Zambia which posed a threat to the national food security.

The minister said for the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP), the distribution of farming inputs was still ongoing, saying that 80 per cent had been covered so far.

"For the FISP, we had problems with the suppliers but the issues have been resolved all the warehouses have been opened and farmers are accessing the inputs. I would like to say that 80 per cent of the distribution exercise has been done," Mr Chenda said.

He said the delay in the distribution of D Compound fertiliser in Luapula and Northern provinces had been resolved.