Some irate farmers on Thursday afternoon stormed the provincial administration in Chipata, to express their anger over the delay in the distribution of Urea fertilizer.
The farmers complained that they have been spending days at the sheds following up their fertilizer, but up to now, they have not yet been given.
They complained that maize in most fields has now passed the level for applying top dressing fertilizer, and that this is likely to affect their crop yields.
The farmers also explained that people entrusted with the responsibility of giving inputs are not operating on the first come first serve basis.
And Provincial Agricultural Coordinator, Obvious Kabinda, acknowledged the delay in the distribution of inputs.
Dr. Kabinda, who took time to explain the whole process to the farmers, said that the ministry of agriculture is doing everything possible to distribute the fertilizer without any further delay.
He also dispelled reports that officers at the sheds have been told to only release 2,000 bags of fertilizer per day.
Meanwhile, Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary, Zachariah Luhanga said that government is aware of some people who are trying to confuse the fertilizer distribution process by giving out wrong information to the farmers.
He warned that such people will be disciplined, and urged farmers to report to authorities, whenever they feel unfairly treated or notice some irregularities in the process.
This is the second time this month that farmers have visited the provincial administration to complain over delay to give them the Urea fertilizer.