10/01/2026
FARMERS WON'T EAT YOUR LAME EXCUSES, PAY THEM OR YADA PROTESTS.
The Zambian Farmers are fed up with the delayed payments from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
The government using Honorable Situmbeko Musokotwane as a mouthpiece, promised to settle all debts by January 10, but here we are, and many farmers are still waiting.
Minister of Information and Media Honorable Cornelius Mwiitwa and other officials have been giving excuses, blaming slow bank processing and budget constraints. But let us be real, these are just excuses.
The government tells us that they only budgeted for 500,000 metric tonnes but ended up buying 1.6 million metric tonnes of maize. They brag about a bumper harvest and yet they only budgeted for meager 500, 000 metric tonnes, They brag to even have exported some to neighboring countries, expecting payments by November.
Yet, farmers are still waiting for their money.
Banks are denying receipt of funds, and the state house communication specialist, Mr. Clayson Hamasaka, has not provided a list of banks paid by the government despite being challenged by leader of Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) Mr. Sean Tembo.
We, Youth Advocates for Development in Africa (YADA), are giving the UPND government an ultimatum: PAY ALL FARMERS BY JANUARY 15 OR FACE PEACEFUL PROTEST AT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ON JANUARY 16th.
Issued by: Chikankatika Alex
National Coordinator, Youth Advocates for Development in Africa (YADA).
+260771841777