Last night, Information and Media Minister and Chief Government Spokesperson, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa MP, appeared on KBN TV’s “The Big Hour Programme” to discuss issues affecting the nation, including farmer payments, the 2025/2026 farming season, and the Chawama by-election.
On the topic of payments to farmers, Minister Mweetwa dismissed claims of theft or impropriety in the handling of maize purchases by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). He explained that government had no intention of unlawfully benefiting from the grain and clarified that theft requires deliberate conversion of property for permanent private advantage, which was not the case. The Minister highlighted that the 2025 budget allocated funds for 543,000 metric tonnes of maize, but farmers delivered three to four times that amount. Once the maize reached FRA depots, government became legally and morally obligated to secure additional resources to pay farmers.
Minister Mweetwa confirmed that government has largely fulfilled its payment obligations, with only a small number of farmers awaiting funds as banks finalize disbursement. He expressed gratitude to the banking sector for their exceptional commitment, noting that some banks operated through weekends and extended hours to ensure farmers received payments. The Minister commended the Bank of Zambia and Governor Dr. Denny Kalyalya for authorizing banks to work beyond standard hours, with some locations like Choma providing services overnight to clear queues.
Regarding the 2025/2026 farming season, the Minister reported that favourable rainfall has positioned the country for a “uniquely super bumper harvest,” provided rains continue until the end of March. He noted that Zambia is unlikely to face hunger challenges this year, but storage capacity may be a concern. To address this, President Hakainde Hichilema has instructed Cabinet, via the Ministry of Finance, to allocate resources for expanded maize storage to support the national production target of 10 million metric tonnes.
On the Chawama by-election, Minister Mweetwa said the loss provided the UPND with important lessons for future campaigns. Despite substantial investment in the constituency, the outcome revealed key areas for improvement. He clarified that neither President Hichilema nor the Vice President campaigned in Chawama.
The Minister’s appearance highlighted government efforts to ensure timely farmer payments, prepare for a record harvest, and reflect on electoral lessons, reinforcing Zambia’s focus on agricultural productivity, transparency, and political accountability.