Govt warns Luapula farmers against loan defaults, calls for mindset change

Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Prudence Kangwa, has expressed concern that some farmers in the province continue to default on loan repayments while expecting government support to remain free.

Kangwa said there was need for a mindset shift among farmers to sustain government-supported agricultural financing programmes and ensure long-term household food security.

She made the remarks when a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters paid a courtesy call on her in Mansa on Friday.

Kangwa said government policies were designed to empower citizens, but negative attitudes toward credit facilities risk undermining national economic recovery efforts.

“People must understand that government interventions are not handouts. These loans are seed money meant to help farmers grow — from small-scale to commercial producers,” she stressed.

Kangwa noted that despite Luapula’s growing productivity, some beneficiaries divert farming proceeds to other uses instead of repaying loans, leading to complaints when they are excluded the following season, often politicising the process.

She urged community-wide sensitisation on agricultural financing and encouraged farmers to explore high-value crops and livestock production rather than over-relying on maize farming.

“The sustainability of this programme depends on paying back. If we do not grow the fund, we hold back other farmers and stall national progress,” she said.

Kangwa commended the initiative and called for continued radio sensitisation to reach fishing-dominant communities transitioning into farming.

“Let us keep talking about these issues at every level. We want our own people to rise into commercial agriculture and drive our provincial economy forward,” she said.

Meanwhile, delegation leader and Chief Agricultural Economist, Dr. Nicholas Mainza, said Luapula was among the key provinces targeted under the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) to improve production and economic resilience.

He said government and commercial banks were reviewing SAFF implementation to address low recoveries and targeting challenges.

“The proposed amendments include introducing collateral requirements for seasonal crop loans, expanding eligibility to agro-dealers and cooperatives, strengthening financial literacy and extension support, and prioritising farmers who voluntarily apply and show commitment,” Mainza said.

He added that the programme had already contributed to the national maize bumper harvest and was helping bridge the financing gap for medium-scale farmers who were previously excluded.

Mainza assured the Provincial Administration that the Ministry will intensify collaboration and ensure farmers fully understand and utilise the opportunity responsibly.

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