Yesterday, Minister of Agriculture Hon. Reuben Mtolo, MP, delivered a ministerial statement providing a detailed update on payments to farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) during the 2025 crop marketing season. The update highlights the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and safeguarding national food security.
The FRA purchased a total of 1,663,934 metric tonnes of white maize from 846,655 farmers nationwide. The total value of these purchases amounts to K11,314,750,520. Government has already disbursed ZMW2,088,550,000 towards farmer payments, demonstrating its commitment to meeting financial obligations.
To address the outstanding balances, structured financial interventions have been initiated. The government has secured a ZMW5 billion loan facility from commercial banks to bridge the financing gap and ensure that all pending payments to farmers are cleared promptly.
On the storage front, the FRA has 1,105,510 metric tonnes of its own storage facilities, complemented by an additional 727,027 metric tonnes arranged through the private sector. This brings the total maize stock under government management to 1,831,290 metric tonnes, ensuring adequate reserves for national food security.
Minister Mtolo emphasized the government’s commitment to timely payments and proper maize storage. He acknowledged the critical role farmers play in ensuring national food security and commended them for their patience and continued contribution to the sector.
The statement reinforced that agriculture remains a cornerstone of Zambia’s economic transformation and rural development agenda. Government support for farmers not only promotes food security but also drives broader economic growth and development.
This update signals the government’s proactive measures to stabilize the agricultural sector and strengthen Zambia’s food supply chain, highlighting its strategic focus on farmer welfare and economic resilience.