Agro’s K200mil absent from budget

THE National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP) where K200 million was parked in previous years was noticeably absent from the budget yesterday.
Treasurer Don Polye said the absence was deliberate to ensure there was greater accountability for the fund.
He said the previous NADP allocations had virtually disappeared without trace.
He said there was a need to put in place proper policies before making allocations of that magnitude to this important area.
Money is allocated however through the service delivery funding to the tune of K231.8 million to support Agriculture and Small Business Enterprises in 2013.
Funds are allocated  under the just announced stimulus package for SMEs and parked in the National Development Bank.
K5 million is also allocated for the development of a national SME policy and K3 million to develop an integrated agriculture policy.