.YALUMA

By CHARITY MOONGA –

SMALL-SCALE farmers have said the recent reduction in the fuel prices will go a long way in improving agriculture in the country.
Small-scale farmers facilitator, Emmack Kaoma said in an interview that the reduction of the fuel prices will help reduce the prices of other commodities.
There was need for fertiliser companies to also consider reducing the prices of the commodity following the reduction of fuel.
The reduction would enable farmers access cheaper inputs and greatly contribute to the agriculture sector in the country.
Government last week reduced the pump price of fuel with petrol going down by over 23 percent from K9.89 to K7.60
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said the fuel reduction was as a result of the reduction of oil prices on the international market.
He announced that with effect from midnight on Friday last week, the pump price of petrol will drop from K9.89 to K7.60 representing a reduction of K2.29, a percentage of 23.13 downwards.
Mr Yaluma added that diesel and kerosene will now selling at K6.59 and K4.69 from K9.18 and K6.77 representing a reduction of K2.59 and K2.08 respectively.
He said it was only logical for Zambians to benefit from the reduction of oil prices on the international market, adding that the government was hopeful that the reduction will impact positively on the people.
Mr Yaluma said there was nothing political about the reduction saying the development was long overdue.
He called on oil retailers countrywide to see to it that they reduced the pump price by Saturday morning so that consumers could benefit.