Government Assures Payments To Farmers Before The Year Ends

By Staff Reporter 

Mpika Member of parliament Francis Kapanga has expressed worry over governments delay to pay farmers that supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency-FRA.

Mr. Kapyanga notes that not all farmers are on the Farmer Input Support Program FISP hence relying on government to pay them so that they in-turn can buy farming inputs.

He observes that this is a period in which farmers prepare their fields in readiness for planting therefor it is worrisome that up to date, government has not completed paying farmers.

Speaking in parliament during the questions for oral answer session, Mr. Kapyanga questioned government’s commitment to diversifying the economy from mining to agriculture looking at the current uncertainty surrounding the agriculture sector.

And in response, Government appealed to all farmers who supplied maize to the FRA countrywide to remain calm stating that government will soon honour its obligation.

Agriculture Minister Rueben Mtolo Phiri says the delay in paying farmers is not happening for the first time, emphasizing that the same used to happen in the previous regime, nonetheless was quick to mention that this will not be case under the UPND.

The minister says money is being released but it is being apportioned to the many owed farmers hence causing some delays but has assured that payments to all farmers will be made before the year ends.