A Union that represents the interest of small-scale farmers in Zambia has expressed happiness that the Food Reserve Agency has this year ensured that farmers are paid as soon as they supply maize.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, National Union for Small Scale Farmers Association of Zambia Executive Director Dr Frank Kayula said union members in Northern province have confirmed receiving their payments after they supplied maize to the Agency.
“Most of the farmers do not have maize anymore because they supplied to the Food Reserve Agency and have since been paid their money,” He said.
Dr Kayula said the Food Reserve Agency should continue with the same system of procuring maize because it will enable the Agency to buy more maize from the farmers.
He said through the system the Agency will be able to meet its target buying about 300,000 tonnes of maize which will promote food security.
Dr Kayula has since urged government to releases more funds to the Agency to allow it procure more maize.
He said the 74 million that government released to the Agency will not be enough for the procurement of maize and the transportation of the commodity to the storage facilities.