Kasempa farmers owed over K18,000,000 by FRA

Kasempa farmers owed over K18,000,000 by FRA

Kasempa, Nov 24/14, ZANIS-NAIS—–More than 3000 farmers in Kasempa district have not yet been paid money for the maize they sold to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) during this year’s marketing season.

A total K18, 189,920 is needed to pay off all the 3000 famers that have not yet been their dues by government through the FRA

Speaking in an interview today, Chief Ingwe of Kasempa appealed to government to speed up the payment process in order to enable his subjects to buy farming inputs in readiness for this year’s farming season.

Chief Ingwe expressed concern over the delay to pay the farmers their money as the situation will likely reduce the production levels of maize in the district and reduce household food security.

And Farmers in Mpungu, Lunga and Ingwe wards have appealed to government to pay them their dues in order to allow them purchase farming inputs on time.

Dennis Mbeula sold more than 300 bags of maize in August to the FRA and has not yet been paid any amount from his sales, causing difficulties in commencing farming activities for this season.

“We have already entered the faming season and we are worried that if we plant late we will likely experience low yields, so we are asking government to pays us our money,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kasempa Acting District Agricultural Coordinator, Joseph Masuwa, called on farmers to be patient as government will soon release money to pay off all the remaining farmers.

He said government has already shown concern to farmers by releasing about K500 million to pay off farmers countrywide while the remaining K900 million which is owed to farmers is expected to be released soon.

A total of number 4,967 farmers had sold their maize to the FRA while only 1,887 have been paid by the agency leaving a balance of 3,080 farmers to be paid.