CHIEF Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says one of the reasons the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has delayed paying farmers is that the current electricity supply being enjoyed across the country cost government huge sums of money.
Speaking at a press briefing in Choma today, Mweetwa reassured farmers that payments through the FRA are expected to be concluded this Saturday.
He explained that government had to set aside funds to import electricity, as the country could not afford to operate without power.
“We needed to set aside funds for the importation of the much talked about electricity. That is why you have seen a minimum of 10 hours of power supply. That cost a lot of money. We could not decide to pay farmers while having no electricity. We needed to strike a balance. Better days are coming, we shall be better soon,” he said.
The minister of Information and Media also explained that another reason for the delay in paying farmers was challenges related to mobile money services and other digital payment platforms.
“About 90 percent of the outstanding payments are already in the banks, and the remaining 10 percent will be deposited tomorrow. We urge our banking partners to expedite the payment process to our farmers,” he said.
Mweetwa stated that President Hakainde Hichilema acknowledges that Government delayed paying farmers but said the delay was for a good reason.
“President Hichilema has observed that, yes, we delayed, and he accepts that, but for a good reason, farmers were paid a premium price for their commodity,” he said.
“This is work in progress. Come 2026, it will not happen again. It was better to buy maize at a higher price and safeguard lives than to keep money to pay farmers while others died of hunger.”
He added that it was shocking to hear opposition leaders demanding payment for farmers when most of them do not even own a single farm.
“They only have phones and bundles to confuse the politics of the nation,” said Mweetwa.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, January 6, 2026
