Govt releases K400m to pay farmers countrywide

Agriculture and Livestock Minister Wilbur Simuusa says K400 million has been released to pay farmers countrywide for the maize they have supplied to the Food Reserve Agency.

Mr. Simuusa has told Parliament today that the K400 million released will go towards clearing the outstanding balance of slightly over K680 million.

He says with the release of the K400 million, there is a remaining balance of over K280 million and that the treasury is making every effort to fund the remaining balance to pay and clear all farmers.

He says with the released funds, Muchinga province will be cleared 100 percent, leaving four provinces namely Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern provinces.

Mr Simuusa has since appealed to the paying banks to work extra hours to ensure that farmers are paid as quickly as possible.