GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE K14.7 BILLION TO CLEAR FARMERS’ OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS, MOST CASH EXPECTED IN NOVEMBER
By: Agness Nakazwe
Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, says Government will provide 14.7 billion kwacha through the 2026 Supplementary Budget to clear outstanding payments owed to farmers, with most of the funds expected to be paid in November.
Dr Musokotwane, who was speaking to Parliament in his capacity as Acting Minister of Agriculture, said the Food Reserve Agency had paid 4.1 billion kwacha towards maize and rice purchases valued at 18.7 billion kwacha, leaving 14.6 billion kwacha outstanding.
He said the Treasury allocation would cover the outstanding obligations, providing farmers with the liquidity needed to support continued agricultural production.
Dr Musokotwane said Zambia had a marketable maize surplus of about 2.5 million metric tonnes following increased production during the 2025/2026 farming season.
He also mentioned that the FRA had secured sales contracts for about 1.7 million metric tonnes of Maize, including 1.5 million metric tonnes for export,with the sales expected to generate revenue and support future maize procurement