MINITRY OF AGRICULTURE SECURES FUNDS TO CLEAR THE K1.6 MILLION DEBT THAT IT OWES FARMERS

THE Ministry of Agriculture has secured some funds to clear the K1.6 million debt that it owes farmers who supplied maize, rice and soya beans to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) during the 2021 marketing season.And Minister of Agriculture Mtolo Phiri has assured the country that it is food secure as there is enough maize to last the country for more than a year.Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Phiri disclosed that the ministry will re-commence payments to the farmers by January 3, 2022.He regretted that the payments have slightly delayed thereby causing panic among farmers but assured that Government remains committed to settle all the outstanding balances that it owes them.Mr Phiri said the FRA during the 2021 marketing season managed to procure over 947, 000 metric tonnes of white maize, 121 metric tonnes soya beans and 656 metric tonnes of paddy rice.He said so far FRA has paid out over K1.2 billion to farmers who supplied their product to the agency.And Mr. Phiri has noted that the ministry is engaging the meteorological department on the weather pattern, adding that it will not carelessly sell the maize without considering food security.He said so far FRA has not exported any maize, stating that the exports that the country has undertaken so far are from other sources and the agency has a mandated to ensure that there national good security is guaranteed before exporting.He said Government has created an enabling environment by opening borders for the export of agriculture produce without any complications thereby encouraging Zambians to acquire export permits and cease the opportunity.Meanwhile, Mr.Phiri has stated that the ministry is ready to address any possible outbreaks of pests that might attack the crop during the current farming season.He explained that government has already put measures in place to protect crops that maybe attacked by the pests. – ZANIS.