THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has started paying farmers who supplied it with maize.
FRA executive director Chola Kafwabulula said K96 million has so far been disbursed to banks countrywide and that farmers can now receive payments for their produce.
“Money to pay farmers has already been sent to various banks countrywide, meaning that some farmers will start getting their money today [Monday],” he said.
Mr Kafwabulula was speaking in Kasama shortly before embarking on a tour of satellite depots in Northern Province.
He said FRA had by August 30, bought 39,141 metric tonnes of maize at a cost of K58.7 million from farmers in Northern Province.
Mr Kafwabulula said Mbala district had the highest number of maize bags bought, totaling 9,700mt, at a cost of K14.5 million.
He said in this vein, FRA has engaged a Chinese firm called Advanced Solutions to construct maize sheds to secure the produce.
Mr Kafwabulula said the FRA has already signed a contract worth K73 million with the company, which will construct 98 sheds countrywide.
“In Northern Province, Mbala will have three sheds and each will have capacity of storing 5,000mt. Kasama will have four sheds with storage capacity of 5, 000mt each. Luwingu will have one shed with a capacity of 3,000mt,” he said.
He said Mungwi will have one storage shed with a capacity of 5, 000mt, and Kaputa will also have one shed with the storage capacity of 1,000mt, while Mporokoso’s after-harvest facility will have the capacity for 1,000mt.
Mr Kafwabulula said that FRA will also construct one silo in Kasama with a storage capcity of 25,000mt.
He said these measures will reduce grain wastage.
And Government says it is pleased with the pace at which the production and distribution of fertiliser under the farmer input support programme are taking place with 60 districts across the country receiving their supplies, CAROLINE KALOMBE reports in Lusaka.
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock permanent secretary David Shamulenge said Government contracted companies to supply inputs and that fertiliser has been delivered and equitably distributed in accordance with the requirements of the provinces and districts.
“At this good pace, Government is certain and sure that all the targeted fertiliser will be at the farmers door step before the planting season and the onset of the rain season,” Mr Shamulenge said.
He said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that his ministry will adhere to President Lungu’s directive to ensure that farmers receive their inputs on time and has further directed provincial agriculture coordinators to monitor the distribution of the inputs.
“Therefore, government will not hesitate to take punitive measures against any erring supplier or other players,” he said.
Mr Shamulenge said 61,118.9 metric tonnes of basal dressing , D-Compund has been produced by the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia which is more than half of the projected 106,409.9 metric tonnes the company was contracted to produce, supply and deliver countrywide.
He said Nyiombo investments and Nerias investment were contracted to supply top dressing, Urea fertiliser and that 41 650 metric tonnes has been supplied representing 41 per cent of the projected 101, 650 metric tonnes.
This is the kind of news that pricks the hearts of the opposition. They don’t want to hear about good things govt is doing please. Bring issues like load shedding and fuel they will start posting articles condemning Edgar even for the problems happening outside Zambia.
@vampiro, do u want the opposition to irk now.
the early payment of farmers was there even last farming season, but shortly after that it was all the dont kubeba. if there will be consisitence in paying them farmers well the government will be praised. that is what the oppostion want. bane moving forward ever.