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Stakeholders have called on the Zambian government to expedite payments to farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), warning that delays could jeopardize preparations for the 2025/2026 farming season as rains begin across the country.
Chipangali District Council Chairperson, Maxson Nkhoma, said it had become increasingly urgent for farmers to begin preparing for the new farming season, but many remained unpaid despite government assurances.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Nkhoma expressed concern that a significant number of farmers who supplied maize to the FRA had not yet received their payments, despite several assurances from Agriculture Minister, Mtolo Phiri, that the funds would be released promptly.
Nkhoma said the unfulfilled promises had created frustration and financial strain among farmers.
“The continued delay in paying farmers their dues poses a serious threat to national food security and crop production, as many farmers depend on these funds to purchase essential farming inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals,” he said.
He urged the government to restore confidence in its agricultural policies by clearing the arrears immediately.
“Farming remains a cornerstone of wealth and job creation in our country. Neglecting the welfare of farmers risks undermining not only the agricultural sector but also the broader economic growth and stability of our nation,” Nkhoma added.
Similarly, Citizens First has expressed concern over the prolonged delay in FRA payments to thousands of farmers who supplied maize and other crops during the 2024/2025 marketing season.
Citizens First Agriculture Committee Chairperson, Gift Chola, urged the government to act with urgency to prevent the situation from escalating into a national food and economic crisis.
“With the rains already pouring, farmers are set for the farming season despite the majority of the farmers not having been paid for the previous farming season,” Chola said.
He added that farmers, who feed the nation, had been left to “face the harsh realities of hunger and debt,” eroding public trust in the New Dawn government.
“The Citizens First therefore demands that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food Reserve Agency immediately release all pending payments to farmers across all provinces,” Chola said.
He further called for a transparent and detailed report outlining the total amount owed, reasons for the delay, and a clear plan to prevent future backlogs.
“We further urge the government to divert the money it’s pushing towards Bill 7 to areas of development, including paying farmers still owed by FRA. Zambia’s agriculture sector cannot thrive on empty promises and delayed payments. It must be anchored on fairness, transparency, and timely support to those who feed the nation,” Chola said.
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