Farmers in Livingstone, Kazungula and Zimba have […]

Farmers in Livingstone, Kazungula and Zimba have reportedly gone without payment for maize delivered to the Food Reserve Agency – FRA since the elections ended, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, the source said the payment problem is affecting farmers across the three districts and has created uncertainty over when they will receive money for their produce.

“Since the elections ended, the farmers are not being paid, and this is happening across the whole region, including Livingstone, Kazungula and Zimba, where the farmers are waiting for their money,” the source said.

 The source said efforts to establish when payments would resume had produced no definite answer, with officials reportedly citing a shortage of funds and changes involving the bank handling the payments.

“When I followed up about the payments, I was told there was no money and that the issue had been given to another bank, so we do not know exactly when the payments will start,” the source said.

The reported delays come as farmers continue to deliver maize while the buying season moves towards the rainy period, increasing concerns over grain that remains at depots without a clear payment timeline.

“They are saying maybe this week or next week they will start paying, but there is no clear date, and farmers are worried because they have already delivered their maize,” the source said.

The source said the payment uncertainty is compounded by operational delays at some depots, including Kasiya satellite depot, which reportedly opened almost a month late, while Musokotwane has faced administrative delays.

 “We are worried because the rainy season is approaching and there is maize at the depots, yet we do not know when FRA will close the buying exercise or when the farmers will receive their money,” the source said.

The source further said farmers outside the reported FISP production arrangement are facing another uncertainty because they have not been given clear information on whether FRA will buy their maize.

“At the moment the information on the ground is that FRA is buying from farmers under the FISP arrangement, while those who are not under it do not know where they will sell their maize,” the source said.

The claims raise questions about the flow of FRA payments in Southern Province and whether farmers in the affected districts will receive their money before the pressure of the rainy season intensifies.

Article by Philip Sinkala