HH cries for farmers

The United Party for National Development (UPND) is deeply concerned at the failure by the PF Government to pay thousands of farmers who supplied maize to Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has since demanded that the Government should immediately pay farmers without any further excuses and delay because they have suffered for far too long.

Mr Hichilema says the UPND is aware that almost 50 percent of farmers who supplied maize to FRA in July/ August are not yet paid and have so far failed to buy farming inputs for the 2014/2015 farming season which has already begun with the onset of rains in most parts of the country.

He says it is regrettable that the farmers who are now expected to be busy tilling the land are instead spending days and nights at government offices following their payments in vain, while the PF is boasting about a bumper harvest which they are failing to pay for.

Mr Hichilema has told QFM News in a statement that this means that the country is most likely going to experience low maize production and higher mealie-meal prices next year, especially if the PF continues in power.

He adds that his party is also aware that children of some unpaid farmers have been chased away from schools for non payment of school fees by their parents, a situation he has described as traumatising to pupils, more so to parents who have been labouring so hard to fend for their families.

Mr Hichilema states that the UPND believes in improved agriculture as one of the vehicles for effective elimination of hunger and poverty, as well as improved access to socio-economic amenities through increased disposable income from selling of agricultural products.

He has since pledged superior economic management, which includes improved agriculture, agro processing which will significantly reduce hunger, poverty and create sustainable jobs respectively among the majority citizens in a country of plenty.

The UPND leader has therefore appealed to the farming community and the general citizens to give UPND an opportunity to serve the country as you they vote during the forthcoming Presidential by-election on 20th January 2015.