The money released is meant for the 25, 386 metric tonnes supplied by the farmers across the country.
FRA Public Relations Officer Daniel M’soka said in response to a press query that the farmers who delivered their grain at the commencement of the marketing season were happily getting paid by the agency.
Mr M’soka said as of August 9th , the agency bought 168,860 metric tonnes across the country.
“Quantifying could take a bit of time, however so far the Agency has disbursed a total sum of K43, 156,773=00 to pay for an equivalent of 25,386 metric tonnes. Farmers who delivered their grain at the commencement of the marketing season are happily getting paid,” he said.
Mr M’soka said as of now, Northern Province was leading with 47,502 tonnes followed by Luapula Province with 44,678 tonnes and North-Western Province with 27,222 tones.
He said the agency was in its third week of buying since commencement of the marketing season.
“However, August and September are our peak months when farmers increase their supply countrywide. Most farmers have now finished preparing the grain for supply to the FRA. In any case, this marketing season runs upto October therefore it would be too early to make any meaningful conclusion,”Mr M’soka said.
So it wasn’t a campaign gimmick like some people claimed during the campaigns!
My advice to all these farmers. Save this money for your seeds and fertilizers next season.
PF has promised to increase the FISP to one million farmers but it will not happen and will be the first casualty when the IMF comes and will be cancelled. And prices of all these inputs will be seriously INCREASED!
Be wise and plan carefully otherwise you will not be able to plant.