Government owes K33 Million to farmers who sold their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in Petauke district of Eastern Province.
District Commissioner Velenasi Moyo said this when Information Minister Joseph Katema called on her in her office that government paid K6, 200, 000 out of K40 Million that was owed to farmers in the district.
Mrs Moyo said FRA exceeded its target of 504,000 by 50 kilogram bags and bought 571,569 by 50 kilogram bags due to the bumper harvest that was recorded in the district.
She stated that that 334,779 by 50 kilogram bags had since been transported to the main depot from the satellite depots.
Mrs Moyo also revealed that the district had received 57,460 by 50 kilogram bags of top dressing for distribution to farmers ahead of the 2014/15 farming season.
“We have also received 16,093 by 50 kilogram bags of top dressing, we are yet to receive the balance of 27,520 bags of maize seed,” she said.
Mrs Moyo noted that the Ministry of Agriculture was given K1.2 Million for the construction of nine dip tanks while a total of K640, 000 was released for the rehabilitation of the Farmers Training Centre at K300, 000.
She said works were progressing well and that 40 percent of the works had already been done.
The District Commissioner said K300, 000 had already been paid to the contractor.
She also stated that the Ministry of Agriculture was also given a total of K250, 000 for the rehabilitation of four camp houses.
And Dr. Katema says there is need to highlight the developmental programmes taking place through the media.
Dr. Katema said there was need for the media to ensure that the public was aware of the developmental programmes being undertaken by government in order for them to give feedback which would made government aware of the developmental needs of the people.
