Government has sourced K8 billion to pay Serenje farmers who yesterday protested against the delay to pay them money for the maize they sold to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
Serenje District Commissioner (DC), Charles Mwelwa, confirmed to ZANIS in Kabwe today, saying the farmers have started getting their money today.
Mr Mwelwa said government owed Serenje farmers a balance of K8.2 billion, adding that the remaining K200 million will soon be found to clear all the farmers owed for their maize.
Mr Mwelwa appealed to farmers who will not be paid from the K8 billion to remain calm, saying government was determined to clear all the farmers by paying them their money.
He explained that several farmers yesterday protested and in the process damanged his vehicle by stoning it in anger about the delay to be paid.
Mrs Susan Chileshe, a farmer, complained that the delay to pay them their money affected them a lot because they could not prepare adequately for this season.
Mrs Chileshe further complained of alleged corruption, saying farmers who delivered earlier their maize were left out and only those who delivered later were being paid.
ZANIS
This is pathetic and shameful for a country boasting half a century of independence. There should have been systems in place already to expedite this simple transaction seamlessly without wasting farmer’s lives. But in Zambia food is at such a premium that it is used as a weapon to antagonise, intimidate, torment, bully and blackmail the people.Â
Why should farmers have to wait to be paid for the produce they have already delivered? Why can’t government and FRA pay farmers within 21-30 days of receipt of goods?
I knew pf can not fell to pay the. famers in MMD we would have recived the money by next year june.
just enjoy america, you dont now that you are talking about.
why “source” – weren’t we told money was available. Ba PF lead don’t deceive. These guys came in believing they can just lies – donchi kubeba. Sadly they actually seem to believe and are working on the premise that it’s their lies that got them in.
Farmers being payed in December. What time do they have to prepare for this farming season, buying seed and fertilizers? more food shortages next year.
Word up
THIS PAYMENTS TO FARMERS MUST IMPROVE QUICKLY IF THEY HAVE TO HAVE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS. OTHERWISE, JUST KNOW THAT THE MONEY YOU HAVE PAID THEM TODAY WILL WHOLE JUST GO INTO KALOBA.
Why is the shortage of maize flour such a big deal? Is maize flour the only food that we, as Zambians, can think of as a staple? As far as I am aware, maize is not even indigenous to Africa. It was domesticated in the Americas and is just one of those foods that were introduced to Africa not so long ago. But the irony is we have become so hooked on this grain that any slight disruption in supply sends people in a panic mode spending so much time and energy just searching for maize flour as if there are no suitable and affordable alternatives to think of. What were people eating prior to the advent of maize? What about sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains (bananas), Irish potatoes etc.? Can these not be eaten or consumed in the exactly the same way we consume maize flour?
peace maker #3, mediocrity can never be justified.
Serenje farmers not zambian farms!!! every year FRA have ready avialable market on other countries, Peace maker is an asylum seeker and got papers.
Dont give up voting Zambians come together as disappointed as u r, try someone else maybe the tenth presi will be a man of wisdom and principle.
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