The Ministry of Agriculture has noted that funding for farmers by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will cease to be challenge once the Ministry of Finance priorities funding the ministry of Agriculture.
Minister in charge Michael Katambo says in an interview with Money FM News that this will also ensure that farmers are paid on time.
Mr. Katambo says once farmers are paid on time, it will be easier for the plan for their produce and has acknowledged that Government divides their resources across ministries.
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union has urged the Government through the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Agriculture to put priority on release of funds to pay farmers for crop marketing and input supply.
The Union says on its website that it is time to walk the talk and avoid repeating the same mistakes every year because the cycle of crop production is known by all notwithstanding all the competing demands on Government.
Mr. Katambo says the ministry of Agriculture and finance are constantly in engagements to try and get the funding in good time.