The Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) to ensure farm inputs that are being supplied to farmers during this year's farming season have the correct net content and labelling.

The Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) to ensure farm inputs that are being supplied to farmers during this year's farming season have the correct net content and labelling.

Government this month kicked off the distribution of farm inputs to farmers countrywide.

Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry (MCTI) acting Permanent Secretary Nalituba Mwale says ZMA will ensure the inputs that are being distributed to the farmers are monitored and inspected for compliance with metrology requirements.

Ms Mwale said the use of unverified pre-packaged farming inputs has a negative impact on projected crop yields, thus jeopardising the nation's harvest and food security.

"Therefore, the collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce, Trade and Industry should be strengthened to proactively prevent such outcomes," she said.

Ms. Mwale said this in a speech read for by MCTI director of domestic trade Trust Mfune during an engagement with stakeholders in the agriculture sector who included manufacturers, packers, importers, and distributors of farming inputs.

She said such engagements are important in building the capacity of stakeholders in the agriculture sector on metrology requirements and for discussing critical issues concerning the distribution of inputs.

Ms. Mwale said the distribution of seed and fertiliser to the farmers is not only a sensitive issue but a critical national activity that affects households and the nation's food security.

She said it is important that the measuring instruments used in the packaging and distribution of farm inputs are accurate for the farmers to have confidence in the product.

Ms. Mwale said the compliance inspections have already started and that the exercise is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.

"The inspections are being done expeditiously to ensure no delays in the distribution of inputs.

When non-compliances are found, technical support is immediately provided," she said.

Ms. Mwale said ZMA also plays a key role during the grain and cotton marketing season by ensuring that measuring instruments used in trade are accurate.

And ZMA Acting Executive Director Humphrey Nkobeni said the agency promotes the equitable use of measurements used in commercial transactions, law enforcement, health, safety, and environmental management.

He said ZMA has been supporting various programmes in the agriculture sector, including the distribution of farm inputs to the farmers.

Mr Nkobeni said the engagement with the stakeholders will build technical capacity and acquaint stakeholders with basic metrology requirements as they produce, package, and supply inputs to farmers.