— Irate farmers in Mbala besiege DC ‘s office for their pay

Irate farmers in Mbala besiege DC ‘s office for their pay

Mbala, January 12^th, 2014, ZANIS —-  Farmers in Mbala today besieged the office of the District  Commissioner to complain over the non-payment for their maize sold to the FRA.

The farmers who have vowed not go back until they are paid complained that they were running out of patience as they have no means to procure the agricultural inputs  this farming season.

But Mbala District Commissioner, Best Kabulembe pleaded with the uncompromising farmers to remain calm as government was doing everything possible to release money to pay the remaining farmers by Wednesday this week.

 

Mr. Kabulembe said government through Agriculture and Livestock Permanent Secretary, Dr. David Shamulenge has assured that all the farmers country wide will be paid before the end of this month.

 

He disclosed that government has  so far released  K34 million to pay all the farmers in Mbala who sold their produce to FRA in August last year.

 

The District Commissioner has also appealed to the Food Reserve Agency to expedite the release of funds to all Commercial Banks in the district so that farmers could start receiving their money.

 

The  district being the highest producer of maize  in the country for four consecutive farming seasons had a backlog of over K73 millions of which only K39 million has so far been paid out to farmers.

 

By broadcast time farmers were still gathered at the DC’s office demanding to be paid their money or given back their maize.