Government has disbursed over K200 million to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to pay farmers that have sold their maize to the agency in the ongoing crop marketing season in Central Province.
Provincial Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe says K222 million has been released to pay the farmers.
The Permanent Secretary was speaking during a meeting with public service workers in Mkushi district.
Dr Mwanakampwe said the government will ensure that the farmers are paid on time to enable them to prepare for the 2026-2027 farming season.
“I am happy to announce that a total of K222 million has been disbursed to the FRA to pay our farmers in Central Province. All the farmers who have supplied maize will be paid as a matter of urgency,” Dr Mwanakampwe said.
He said the FRA has so far bought 174,000 metric tonnes of maize in the region in the ongoing crop marketing season.
He said the province was given a target of buying 80,000 metric tonnes of maize this year but it has gone beyond target because of the bumper harvest the region recorded in the 2024-2025 farming season.
He commended the farmers in the province for their hard work that made it possible for the country to record a bumper harvest in the 2024-2025 farming season.
Dr Mwanakampwe said government will continue implementing sound agricultural policies to enhance national food security.
He urged agriculture extension officers in the province to continue providing the required support to the farmers on the best farming practices to boost agricultural production in all districts.
Thank you after waiting over 5 weeks for payment
You should understand payment delayed is payment denied
But why this way of releasing payments? So selective..
Other provinces like Copperbelt, alot of farmers who supplied in July aren’t paid todate. This is October, four months!!