FARMERS in Katete District, in Eastern Province, have started receiving soybeans seed from Good Nature Seed Company on staggered payment basis for the 2019/20 farming season.
The farmers intimated to the Sun recently they will make a K200 down payment to the company in cash and settle the balance with a 25kg soybean bag after harvest.
They said the deal was facilitated by Solidaridad Network Foundation who is acting as the ‘middleman’ between the seed company and them.
One of the farmers, Lina Nvula, said she was happy with the seed company for making it possible for farmers to easily acquire the soy seed.
“The early maturing seed given to us by Good Nature Seed and Solidarid will help us harvest better crops in the unpredictable weather patterns,” Mrs Nvula said.
Another farmer, Yohana Mbewe, said the Kafue soy seed variety was unlike the other seeds which required a lot of rains to mature as it produces within 80 to 90 days of planting.
“This Kafue seed by Good Nature is something Solidaridad Network has verified that it is good for small scale farmers and Solidaridad has been working with us here in Katete for a while now, so we trust them,” Mr. Mbewe said.
Meanwhile Solidaridad Network Foundation Soy project manager, Friday Siwale said farmers were given the seeds based on the understanding between his organization and Good Nature Seed.
“We have been working with farmers in Katete for a while now in fruits and vegetable growing by giving them capacity building and technical support,” Mr Siwale said.
Mr. Siwale said that him and his team will work hand in hand with the farmers during this Soy Bean 2019/2020 season to make sure that production is done accordingly.
The project manager added that women and youths should take advantage of this Kafue Soy seed as it is easy to plant and care for.
