GOVERNMENT has warned politicians against inciting farmers to protest over delayed payment for maize supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Wylbur Simuusa said inciting farmers to protest over delayed payments has potential to cause chaos in the country.
Mr Simuusa told Parliament yesterday that Government is concerned and disappointed with some opposition political leaders who have allegedly taken advantage of the situation to campaign against the Patriotic Front (PF) ahead of the forthcoming presidential election.
“The payment to farmers is still ongoing and Government is releasing funds… We are paying the money to farmers not because we are going into an election.
“We are, however, disappointed that there are opposition leaders who have taken advantage of this situation to de-campaign the ruling party. They are busy going round the country to incite farmers to protest over delayed payment,” he said.
Mr Simuusa said Government only owes farmers over K600 million, which will be settled before the end of this month.
He was responding to a question by Mazabuka member of Parliament (MP) Garry Nkombo (UPND) who wanted to know what has caused the delay in paying farmers and what measures the government is taking to ensure the unpaid farmers access inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
Mr Simuusa also said farmers who supplied rice to FRA have already been paid.
The minister said Government is making frantic efforts to ensure all farmers who supplied maize to FRA are paid before the end of the month.
He also said Government has already distributed farm inputs to all districts across the country.
Mr Simuusa assured farmers that Government will next week release more funds to pay them.
“The opposition should not deceive the farmers because there is no other Government which has bought more maize from farmers than the PF administration and like we promised, we are still putting more money into the pockets of our farmers,” he said.
But Mafinga MP Catherine Namugala (MMD) wondered why it has taken the government so long to pay farmers considering that the planting season has already started.
Ms Namugala said the delay by the government to pay farmers might cost the PF in the presidential election.
“Mr Speaker, our farmers have now been made destitute and are now selling goats in order for them to buy inputs. This is unfair and uncalled for,” she said.
And Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Richard Kazabu said Government has put in place measures to control the reported outbreak of army worms in Eastern Province.
Mr Kazabu said the spraying of insecticides and the installations of army worm traps among others have been done in Chipata’s Kasenengwa constituency to effectively control the situation.
He said this in response to a question by Kasenengwa MP Victoria Kalima (MMD) who wanted to know whether the government is aware that some parts of Eastern Province have been attacked by army worms as well as the measures the government is taking to contain the pests.
Mr Kazabu said Government is adequately prepared to prevent invasion of crops by pests during the farming season.
And Choma Central MP Cornelius Mweetwa (UPND) has accused Western Province permanent secretary Augustine Seyuba of abusing public funds by allegedly instructing district commissioners in the region to attend the PF campaign rally slated for today.
Mr Mweetwa said in a point of order that it is sad that Mr Seyuba, who is supposed to protect public funds from abuse, is allegedly in the forefront of instructing district commissioners in the region to attend the PF rally.
He said UPND has received information indicating that Mr Seyuba has allegedly written to district commissioners to instruct them to attend the PF rally in Mongu this afternoon.
But in his ruling, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini said the point of order is misplaced because it does not fall under his jurisdiction.
Dr Matibini said that those aggrieved should report the matter to the Electoral Commission of Zambia or the law enforcement agencies.
No one is inciting farmers,farming is just like any other business were a honest exchange must take place.This maybe interms of exchange of maize and money by FRA and farmers.In Zambia everything is political mileage even when one inherits an underwear from a dead relative.
Ba Simuusa. If “Only K600m” is a small amount and you will pay it out by the end of the year, How come it has taken you over 1 month to find about K300m (K150m, K100 and this week K50m).
Just admit that you have failed and are the ones inciting the farmers with your careless promises and talk.
The farmers will punish the Paya Farmer party come next month.
“… Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Wylbur Simuusa said inciting farmers to protest over delayed payments has potential to cause chaos in the country…”
Mister Simuusa, more likely than not, deceiving farmers and illegally denying them benefits of their hard work does have potential to cause chaos in the country!!!
PAY UP THE FARMERS AND STOP POLITICKING.
DID YOU EXPECT THE OPPOSITION TO APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR LACK OF PLANNING.
YOU HAVE FAILED LAMENTABLY AND IT SHOWS.
KUYA BEBELE,ZWA!
Simuusa stop blaming the opposition blame the crookedness of PF leadership and this will cost you the 2015 election. We know that MPs like Simuusa are PF on the outside but opposition inside.
LT, in your story, You call Lackson Kazabu as Richard Kazabu and on the other story you are saying Scott was receiving credentials from diplomats on 20 December 2014 a date which has not yet come. Don’t rush check, your work. However we still love you and don’t forget to give HH your vote on that day
I am a farmer and don’t annoy me more by saying somebody is inciting me to protest for your failure to pay me. I need the money to prepare for the new farming season, we are in December now and you are insulting us by saying we are being incited. For once as PF be serious or at least pretend you are serious by not issuing hollow statements
Mr Samusa needs to be put on the plate for breakfast. Just pay the farmers and no opposition leader will use it as a weapon. You mess the toilet and blame others? When is PF going to have mature ministers?
Can’t wait for 20th January to see the back of some of these guys.
Zambia Forward; washala washala!
Wylbur should have been one of those young dynamic politicians who should have brought efficiencies in our ministries and government, etc, but because of incompetence he has gone the route of old politicians, just politicking and being power drunk! Ask those who worked with him in the various ministries what systems he improved! Nothing significant! This is December and some farmers are not yet paid and you have the audacity to accuse the opposition? What a shame! You must have a very low of Zambian Farmers! PF KUYA BEBELE!
Wilber Simuusa you are joking.You had gone to sleep over these nkhongole and only to woke up after the death of his excellence the late may his soul rest in peace Mr Chilufya.You took famers for granted and now you are surprised that your weakness is about to teach you in a hard way.Just pay them famers or you are hypocrites.That’s why I know that every politician is a crook
“We are, however, disappointed that there are opposition leaders who have taken advantage of this situation to de-campaign the ruling party. They are busy going round the country to incite farmers to protest over delayed payment,” he said.
Really?
Very sad to hear that the “hon” Minister of Agriculture has such a LOW VIEW of farmers that he believes they cannot put two and two together themselves. Truly, who needs others to “de-campaign the ruling party” as Simuusa says when PF is doing a fine job of that on its own?!?!
Apparently, the “hon” Minister would prefer farmers who are owed money (and need the money for inputs!) to sit by and do nothing while PF makes a “plan” to pay them…. as if this were, what….. the farmer’s “patriotic” duty to remain poor?
Apparently, the project to incite farmers actually originated from Guy Scott who was reported to have promised that FRA would pay them for maize crop, yet the PF had no capacity to raise money for FRA. Guy Scott’s careless or strategic plot to discredit Edgar Lungu prompted farmers in Chipata to demonstrate through blocking traffic flow with their bicycles on Monday, the 8th December 2014.
Mr. Simusa must direct his concerns to his Acting Republican President who has forged unholy alliances with Mmembe, Kabimba, Dr. Mahtani, Masebo and Miles Sampa to break up and KILL the PF by January 2015.
Well PF cadres, please show how indoctrinated you are. Come out and defend this incompetence. Instead of helping his colleagues with finding solutions Edgar Lungu is busy attending parties in Zimbabwe so he can drink free booze. Or is he trying to con Mugabe so he can embezzle some of his money?
@Mwansa Kabinga. No one is doing anything to hurt Lungus candidacy. This problem was there long before Scott took over. All his trying to do is show some concern and let the farmers know government is trying to find the money to pay them. Instead of helping cabinet work the supposed PF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE , Lungu is busy going to attend parties so he can have free booze. We all know what kind of parties Mugabe has. This guy is an embarrassment to Zambian government. A whole minister being lewd by free booze.
Over different administrations I have observed that there is this belief that a Tonga person is good at the Agriculture Ministry but this is a farce! Like any other Agriculture is a practical science that can be mastered by any hard working person who with good policies can yield results, Simuusa proves a point of a failure and keeps groping for excuses.
PF nonsense! The rains have started yet farmers are still not paid, you have no conscious even as you blame others! Amambala imwe!
actually iam surprised to hear mr wheelbala simuusa say opposion are inciting farmers. this country is very peaceful to the extend that you can insult the offended one and blame him for your stupidity. pf should be the last to talk about inciting farmers cos they have incited them but they are not reseponding for the sake of peace loving. i have respect for our incoming president hh for not capitalising on this issue which have brought fire in other countries . as i said i saw w simuusa in mongu pictures instead of sorcing for money to clear farmers before end of this month. when you lose you going to say elections were not free and fair . you *****s. oh sorry my president say we should not insult but please be sensible sort out farmers you have already de campaigned your selves. viv
Simuusa, there is dignity in keeping quiet if you have nothing to say.