PRESIDENT HICHILEMA ASSURES FARMERS OF PAYMENT WITHIN 3 DAYS OF GRAIN DELIVERY
MPIKA – President Hakainde Hichilema has assured farmers across the country that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will begin purchasing this season’s crops once consultations on buying prices are concluded, with payments to be made within two to three days after grain delivery.
Addressing a public rally in Mpika yesterday, President Hichilema urged farmers to remain patient, explaining that the delay in commencing crop purchases is intended to ensure that harvested maize has reached the required moisture content before being bought.
His remarks come after the FRA announced on Monday that it had completed preparations for the 2026 crop marketing season.
FRA Board Chairperson Suresh Desai said the agency had established 1,749 buying depots nationwide and recruited 3,498 buying depot clerks and an equal number of security guards to facilitate the exercise.
He added that the agency was finalising consultations with stakeholders to determine this season’s maize and paddy rice buying prices before announcing them.
Desai further stated that FRA was ready to purchase grain once it met the required moisture content of 12.5 percent or below.
“Don’t lose patience or get tired. We know you want to sell your maize, but we want to make sure you sell maize that is dry enough and we will pay you within two to three days,” President Hichilema said.
The President also pledged to end the long-standing problem of delayed payments to farmers, saying the Government would use digital payment systems to improve efficiency.
“I do not want to see farmers queuing up for payments anymore. Every payment will be done digitally this year,” he said.
President Hichilema further appealed to the people of Mpika to support the UPND in the August 13 general election, saying continued support would enable the Government to complete infrastructure projects, expand the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), create more jobs and improve road and bridge infrastructure.
Calling for peaceful elections, the Head of State said: “We don’t want violence now. We want peace.”