AGRICULTURE Minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri says the anticipated normal to above-normal rainfall might trigger extreme events, including flash floods, which could lead to the resurgence of crop pests and diseases. And Phiri says government has procured 42,775.20 MT of Compound D and 42,775.20 MT of Urea at an estimated cost of $71.8 million for the 2024/25 farming season under the Direct Input Supply (DIS) modality. Rendering a ministerial statement on the 2024/25 farming season yesterday, Phiri called for early planting in susceptible regions like Southern, Central, Western, Northwestern, Copperbelt, Luapula, parts of Eastern, Muchinga and Northern provinces. “Madam Speaker, in accordance with the released rainfall forecast, Zambia is expected to transition from the current El-Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to a weak...