Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
An angry mob of farmers in Mbala today besieged the office of the District Commissioner, Best Kabulembe demanding to know when government would pay them for the maize they sold to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
But the District Commissioner has assured the farmers that they will start receiving their money on Wednesday this week.
The uncompromised farmers said they were running out of patience because it has taken long for them to be paid their money for the maize they sold to the FRA in August.
The farmers complained that government was holding on to their money which they would have used to procure the agricultural inputs for this farming season.
They also wondered how they would sustain their families in future because their survival is dependent on farming.
And Mr Kabulembe assured the farmers that government has released K12.9 million to pay the farmers in Mbala starting on Wednesday.
Mr. Kabulembe said FRA Executive Director, Chola Kafwabulula has assured him that the money to pay farmers in Mbala has been released and the process of transferring to Banks has begun.
He pleaded with the farmers to remain calm and patient as their concerns were being addressed by government.
The District Commissioner explained that the delay to pay the farmers has been as a result of government buying more maize than budgeted for.