Pay the farmers now!
Reports about the PF government failing to pay farmers in several parts of the country that supplied maize and rice to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) are shameful and embarrassing if not frustrating.
It is painful to hear complaints from our farmers not being paid long after they supplied their produce because the government allegedly has no money, yet they are quick to flash lots of money during by-elections. The PF spent a lot of money in Mangango by-elections, let alone the 5 past by-elections that could have easily cost us 60 million kwacha. Fellow farmers 60 million kwacha would pay for 850,000 bags of maize or 1,000 farmers if each of them produced 850 bags of Maize. But we know colleagues that no subsistence farmer can produce 800 bags of maize.
We know PF have no idea that farming is a business and a source of livelihood for majority of our people. Up to 80% of rural folk are employed or earn a livelihood from agriculture. The non-payment by the PF therefore has consigned over half of our population to continued poverty.
To start with, farmers have been punished because of the low floor price of maize and other agriculture produce, but now they are being punished again by delays in payments. Floor price is not a problem; the problem is that this Government has not managed the input costs. Fuel subsidies were removed, this alone increased production costs. This is the reason UPND insists that farmers should know the price of agriculture produce before the farming season so that they can plan properly and grow crops that are profitable. This is also the reason we have been advocating for a robust policy on agri-business which will include market information.
At this point of the year, a farmer is supposed to have bought his seed, fertilizer, herbcides and must have already been on the schedule of that local businessman who is providing ploughing services to prepare his field. But the farmer has not been paid, so what does he do?
We therefore urge the PF government to prioritize farming and immediately pay farmers that supplied to FRA without any further delays.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND president
This is now the work of the opposition. I just hope one day HH will mature and begin to speak like a shadow President. Nombafye ubwaice!!
I have been in the UK for too long, what does this mean ‘Nombafye ubwaice’?
Let me know. As i talk, speak and think in Scotland and have now developed a
strong Scottish accent.
Thanks
Looking good, Mr.HH and as usual talking a lot of sense….
I THINK SO FAR HH IS THE ONLY OPPOSITION MAKING SENSE, THE GUY IS SHARP, IF IMAGINE ICI PUMA KWATI CISATA WHO ALMOST BROUGHT GENOCIDE ON ZAMBIA DURING THIRD TERM AND HIS PANAGARIAN MANARISM HAS MADE IT TO PLOT 1 , WHAT MORE OF A SOBER MINDED GUY LIKE HH.
VIVA HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
LOL….identity crisis Mushota! Explains aloooot… @*$!/# m****!!!…..fuse blown!.
Political epileptic convulsions.
HH waisa nondo mulihyo. HH exudes sense all the time. Unlike Sata a joker even when its time to be serious.
Where is Muzungu Opuusa who promised people in Vubwi and Kasenengwa that PF will pay farmers in two weeks?
Villagers never again should you believe what PF says. PF is a bunch of criminals who have no idea what it takes to grow food.
PF promised farmers to paid exactly two weeks after selling maize to PF government.
Another Bufi. Why not tell the people the truth that government has money now it will pay farmers once they get another kaloba.
When PF minions are caught with their pants down, they go on an offensive against HH who is just trying remind the PF.Now that HH has talked Sata has phoned those responsible to find money and pay the farmers promptly. Without HH reminding Sata ‘s government about pertinent issues, Sata just sits idol in State.
Well done HH. The fact that most PF minions have come out in big numbers to condemn you shows you have hit them where it hurts the most .,,,,,,ouchiii. HH has delivered the message to Sata for sure, where ever he is.
Without HH ‘s comments or reminders PF does…
This what I am talking about! When HH sneezes every PF minion including Sata catches a cold.
HH ulimuchende, ulimwaume sana, uliwamwamuna ngako.
HH the only hope and help for Zambia…..
Ed Miliband has promised us an increase in minimum wage to £8/hr ,can Sunny Chitombwa tell us what he is going to do differently from ba shi Chilufya.
Iwe ka HH just be patience. Most farmers have been paid. Remaining ones will be paid very soon starting this week. Don’t just condemn if you have never handled such responsibilities. Become a councillor fist and u will understand some of these things.Money is not easy to find. Remember FRA does not immediately sale that maize but they still have to find money to pay our farmers. It is just normal that delays can be experienced at times. Even u given that opportunity to rule(God forbid) you can find yourself in the same situation.
– It is clear UPND is party for Farmers
– MMD was for “businessmen”, who turned into thieves.
But these PFs? I really don’t know, if one tries to think what they are about…. may end up grouping them as grown bus station call-boys THUGS.
HH would make the best President Zambia ever had. His vision and priorities for Zambia are impeccable. His honesty and humility are breathtaking. On the other hand, Zambia continues to wallow in poverty and extreme economic hardship because of the incompetence of the tribalistic ailing dictator Micheal Sata. He continues to rig elections and PF supporters claim victory. This country will continue to be poor for as long as good leaders like HH are ignored and maligned. Lets continue living!!
If you had any further proof the man is not good enough to reachest the pinnacle of the zion, there you have it
He is more interested in farming than real issues in the Political Spectrum
The job is too good for him
Bon of a Sitch
Thanks
This man lacks a political lense. He seems not to see the invisible boundaries of politics.. a very hollow statement once again from HH. I wonder when he will grow, I think these are now signs of stunted growth due to political malnourishment…
This is what happens when you elect a very old man in the highest office. Faced by his own health challenges as are result of his age nothing can be planned well. When man continues to get OLD his thoughts and capabilities turns to an under five. My sincere regards.
Of course no farmer or business person wants any undue delays in the conduct of business, but this doe not require a feeble and hollow statement from akainde ichilema.
its not like govt is just sitting by and not doing anything to effect the payments.
what you need to have done is tell us specifics how you could have done it instead of speaking in general terms about agri-business.
you appear to be running out of things to talk about but you want to keep yourself and your weakened party relevant to the political discourse.
PF govt is delivering on its promises much to your chagrin
Yep. When I read the headline, I wondered how long it would take some cadre to tell HH he should shut up about farmers being paid. Congratulations, “fake lawyer” you rose to the challenge barely 11 minutes after LT posted the story. You must be very proud!
Why exactly you think it’s “just OK” to take a farmer’s maize and THEN look for money to pay them is another matter…… especially after this government (filled with those who have been councilors?) “promised” that slow payment would not be a problem like every other season. Still, I guess that’s not important. According to you, poor farmers need to give government interest free credit for however long it takes, right?
PF is a group of Banyamulenge. They have no direction. Everything is randomized in this group.
The Famers are paid from last year’ sales. Ulicayanga nduwe ncelelebula
PF spent farmers’ money on by elections and you are there supporting as if you just lost your head! Gosh
Jst as my father died without being paid from Grant Thornton..jst coz of some MAN who keeps money kwati ni N.R.C. You tell me abt procedure in your payment system and you expect govt not to have procedure…..HH. careful with these poilitics
I meant patient
Political affiliations aside, HH is just okay.
Imagine you were the victim, how would you sustain yourself and the family? Besides farmers need to prepare themselves for the next farming season which is just around the corner.
@Fake Zambian lawyers. it would seem that everything PF does wrong or right you just support. remember that if these small scale farmers are frusted, it is we the working class that we suffer high prices on the mealie meal as millers will have short supply of maize which will create high demand for the commodity.Do you want to starve or you just want to embarras the PF Government? what is your motivation in supporting a wrong formular applied in paying farmers? please wake up and help the government achieve that which is expected of it so that it can win the next elections if at all you truly care.
Mushota…….
Politicking is more important than farming? Even PF are now embarrassed by your comment.
So this so called HH has now recoiled from his hole where he was recuperating after he was dealt heavy blow in the just ended by election. He was even at a loss where to start attacking Sata and PF from because Sata whom he believed would never rise has done miraculous things in the recent past. Unbelievably HH saw Sata vigorously campaign for PF candidate resulting in scooping four out of six seats, open parliament and fly to New York for UN meetings. HH and his minions don’t realise that many farmers have been paid and those who are yet to be paid will soon get their money as the delay could have been due to some logistic challenges, which should not heighten anxieties as HH wants it to appear
Money for farmers not paid yet has been allocated for Sata’s medical treatment in America instead.
So you kabemba wachinko just calm down or else you die of heart attack.
Every time HH sneezes, all you PF minions catch a cold, why? You are so weak and brainless.
Rumors of Ebola on the Copper-belt, Kitwe in particular and that some schools have been closed….
Bo HH , please try by all means not to always condemn even if the GRZ has done something good. Yes, GRZ has bought the 500 000 MT mandated and budgeted for , and all farmers have been paid. The GRZ was forced to buy more as the private sector failed to mop the maize from farmers, these are the farmers GRZ has yet to pay. Very soon these farmers will be paid as well. So chill man HH. Be patient man.
Let FRA buy from remote parts where it is uneconomic for private businesses to buy from.
The point HH is making is that African governments, including ours (from UNIP, MMD and now PF) always say there is no money when it is needed for the directly benefit of ordinary Zambians. Money is always available for State activities such as elections and travel by senior govt officials, Ministers and above.
Go on HH, who else can talk? The MPs are comfortable. Ngimbu has already told the people of Zambezi that she will soon be a Minister and kicked his village-looking husband. How repulsive!!! You kicked out humble Kakoma.
Amazing the government can not get it right 3 years in a role. the chaos that surrounds maize marketing & fertilizer distribution issues are baffling. PF dismiss none performers if you want to be taken serious in 2016
Well said my president .80% of Zambians live on farming when PF spends money on By elections and a sick president hibaneting in state house it very sickening.How are they going to pay for school fees,Hospital charges and buy imputs.Agriculture is next to mining in terms of GDP contributions,yet PF is insulting famers who contribute to this GDP by subjecting them to beggars .Thyats why in 2016 we shall vote for HH.We need a president who is able to set priorities.Food and health comes first before roads,because they are basic rights.A responsiple parent can not over borrow only to buy sofas in a rented house.Or borrow to build a house and not pay school fees because he is building .Real development puts man on the center .Even if you wear a very expensive T shirt with Kwashoka pot bery
Mr HH the best you can do is to visit FRA and sit down with them. You are a zambian and FRA is a zambian institution
You think they can allow him, when they send cadres to stop him appearing on radio stations.
you want look nice.PF is bosting having borrowed heavily Euro Bonds which they are using to build roads .Insteady of generating funds through Taxs from the mines .The same euro bond just like meembe is saying they are busy sharing it through corrupt deals.And they expect as and our children to repay these Kaloba loans.Zambians lets wake up we can not eat tribe and we don’t need to know the president in person to get rich.Its the Good policies that can make as rich.
Sorry HH a lot of us farmers we have been paid and we are not with GRZ we are welling to give GRZ time to find money for remain g farmers. HH if you continue with this path we shall continue voting for PF till 2026……as we know governance does operate like the way you want to propose here.
For sure most farmers have infact been paid, HH is just running out of ideas, a desperate act from a desperate man leading a desperate bunch of vagabonds and cattle rustlers. If it was HH he would privatize most of the agric undertakings by govt so dont be fooled, this man has a background as a liquidator, freemason and allegedly connived with the Chiluba regime to siphon millions of kwachas from ZCCM. Fact!
Wait for your turn bwana hh.for simusa handling the situation,you sabaila too much.
I wanted to mean;
Sorry HH a lot of us farmers we have been paid and we are not annoyed with GRZ we are welling to give GRZ time to find money for remain g farmers. HH if you continue with this path we shall continue voting for PF till 2026……as we know governance does operate like the way you want to propose here.
@Dead
Sorry, you don’t know what you are talking about. Just listen to yourself and see if there is any sense in what you are bubbling. Indeed you are “brain” dead!
FRA promised to pay farmers within 14 days after writing the crop receipts. I am one of the victims. Though I have a stable job but I need to pay my workers. Farming is business. Do not just support institution which break promises. Imagine you pay for your food and you asked to wait for 3 months.
Clutching at straws. Poor Icilema! Issues of payment by FRA for maize is not so hot as most farmers have already been paid. Character has no charisma, no icimwela… What a waste. Go concentrate on your cows, and while you are at it make sure Canisius Banda, the ‘ vet’ tends to them efficiciently!
HH always talks issues and ideas while PF wastes precious efforts on who is acting president,Kabimba’s firing and denying we have an unproductive hibernating president.
Let us be wary fellow citizens, watch his forehead closely this antichrist,
Here is wisdom, Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
Useless kudo. Are you a christian yourself when you are busy fornicating and committing adultery.
Interesting comments to read but some are below what is called normal reasoning. Let us discuss the issue at hand and not the tissues in your hands to clean yourselves from the farmers produce who have not yet been paid. FRA give us our money. You promised to pay within 14 days.
Most of the PF leaders are pathological liars living in heaven on earth with sybaritic lifestyles together with their sycophantic and gullible cadres.The poorest of the most poorest in zambia is really feeling it.Its really hellish and there’s leadership vacuum in Government;No direction ; What a flea circus with these PF policy implementers!Just look at all the pillars of economic development indicators ; signalling to below average except the corrupt shuddy chinese road “resurfacing” so called” link zambia 8000″ which is a daylight robbery to the zambian citizenry! God is so great such that Winter’s dismissal is acting like another watchdog rebirth via The Cartel of Fred -What a Blessing to poor Zambia! For real;God is good all the time! Come 2016- The wind of real change will be…
“To start with, farmers have been punished because of the low floor price of maize and other agriculture produce…” Sales prices are determined by production, storage and handling cost — plus profit. The government must also consider what a consumer would pay for a bag of flour after going through, FRA, millers, and retailers.
“Fuel subsidies were removed, this alone increased production costs…” This promotes dependence syndrome
“It is painful to hear complaints from our farmers not being paid long after they supplied their produce because the government allegedly has no money, yet they are quick to flash lots of money during by-elections…” I don’t think it was PF buying maize from farmers; neither was it FRA giving out money to voters in the said campaigns if the lost…
Zambia will be an economy to reckon with under HH & the Upnd team. Go HH, go Dr Banda, go Mutale Nalumango, its indeed about time Zambia begin to be governed by senseable people.
And look at these ZWD/ UPND hyenas getting so excited because their alpha male the hungry hyena has begun to laugh..a simple question, when Roan Copper Mine was liquidated by you Mr Hyena did you care if your Price-WaterHouse under ZPA would even pay off the thousands of poor workers that had been ZCCM employees for decades??? Many of them died without receiving those few ngwees, what a hopeless hypocrite you are. Ati halenya halenya..proper diarrhea of the mouth this one…the same diarrhea that has infected these other UPND satanists. These farmers will receive their money, most have it is only a few that haven’t and most farmers are very happy with how the PF govt has been coordinating this, its just these halenya halenya chaps with small brains and hatefull hearts.
2020vision
Oh sorry boy, you have also caught a cold because HH has sneezed. Bravo!
Here is a little lesson for free ba 2020vision because speaking from an uneducated and uninformed pedestal pains some of us who have studied finance and corporate governance. When a company goes into liquidation, the payouts of liabilities are as follows: i. Creditors that are protected by whatever securities they hold over the company.
ii. Unsecured creditors
iii. Other Creditors & Liabilities including employee dues
iv. Ordinary shareholders
Employees and ordinary shareholders will only be paid if they are are leftovers from the first payments to secured creditors. Get an education first before ranting like an !diot, OK?
@dudelove I’m only a layman or uneducated and uninformed as you put it that is wondering which accounting standards you are referring to of which there are several? Further to that regardless of whatever you copied and pasted to try and get you point across in showing how highly educated you say you are lies the universal principal of ethics, whichever angle you try and cook things up ethics are meant to be the guiding principle of financial management, in the long term without ethics you will have another prime mortgage crisis, you will have rogue traders crashing markets by speculating, without ethics you will have people called HH that undervalue a poor country like Zambia’s assets just so they can make a quick dollar at the expense of thousands who suffer directly by the actions.
Another nonsense from HH!my family members in Luapula supplied maize to FRA and were paid after 1 week!they’re very happy!those who supplied late are the ones waiting.soon PF Govt will pay them!so no big issue here sir.HH’s Lusaka politics will never win him the presidency!yo noise is in vein bwana!PF has already 2016 elections and beyond,mark my words!
WHEN IS SATA COMING BACK? JUST ASKING AND WONDERING; HE MIGHT BE GONE FOR GOOD,TAKING ANOTHER’ WORKING HOLIDAY’ IN ISRAEL OR INDIA WHILE LUNGU CONTINUE ACTING INDEFINATELY. IT IS ALWAYS DISGUISED IN AN OFFICIAL TRIP AND THEN VANISHES IN THIN AIR.I PRAY FOR THE TRUTH THIS TIME AROUND,THE DEVIL IS ALIAR.
U shd also explain how lost Zambezi