Over one hundred small scale farmers have stormed the office of Nakonde district commissioner James Singoyi demanding immediate payment of money for the maize they supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
The district commissioner told Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali in a telephone interview today that over 100 small scale farmers stormed his office this morning demanding the immediate payment of their dues.
FRA owes small scale farmers in Nakonde in Muchinga province about K5 million.
Mr. Singoyi said the small scale farmers have vowed not to leave his office until they are paid their money.
” They have camped at my office and they are saying that they will only leave after receiving their dues,” said Mr. Singoyi.
He said that the small scale farmers have complained that delays in paying them their dues have affected their plan for farming activities.
Mr. Singoyi said that FRA had promised to pay the farmers in Nakonde by yesterday adding that a check at the local bank this morning revealed that money to pay the farmers is not yet in the bank.
The district commissioner has since appealed to the FRA to expedite the payments and ensure that the small scale farmers get their dues as soon as possible.
ZANIS
PF!, Paya Farmer!!!!
Government of Crooks .
Give the farmers their money naimwe ala.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia
Signs of no direction in this sector, is slowly but surely showing without paying. What a show for farmers.
.. They should have been paid in July/August to help them prepare for next farming season. When these farmers sell their maize across the border gvt complains/warns of brief case buyers.. WHAT NOW??