CHIBOMBO FARMERS DEMAND PAYMENT

DELAYED payments for the maize which was delivered to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) two months ago will affect the 2017-2018, farming season, William Chenda a Chibombo based farmer has complained.

Mr. Chenda who was speaking on behalf of the farmers in Chibombo district said that the majority of farmers in the area had not been paid for the maize they delivered to FRA in August.

He explained that every time farmers went to check for their payments at the bank the money was not reflecting in the system and the E-voucher had not yet commenced.

“We have been to the banks the members of stuff tell us that they don’t know when the money will be available,” he said.

In an interview with the Daily Nation Mr Chenda said that farmers were worried because the money had delayed and the rains had started pouring seriously but still no hope for them getting their money in good time.

He said that FRA had promised them that they would be paid within two weeks and now it was two months without the payment.

“We are been disadvantaged and when the money comes we have to immediately invest into the 2017 farming season.

So we don’t stand any advantage because we have been hurt both ways and it will be disastrous because already our plans have been disturbed, they will not be able to take off at the rate we expected,” he said.

Mr. Chenda expressed disappointment that not only was the money delayed but also the E-Voucher had not yet taken off.

He explained that in an event that the E-voucher program pushed through they would not have money to pay for the deposits because FRA was still holding on to their payment.

Mr. Chenda pleaded on behalf Chibombo farmers that government through the Minister of Agriculture would look into the matter and that they would be paid as soon as possible.

“If we don’t plant the maize in good time chances of us having 99 percent germination will not be possible we will have poor crops next year,” he said.