As a concerned youth activist, I’d like to bring to your attention the challenges faced by our farmers, particularly those who sold maize to the government. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with farmers through various channels, and I’m compelled to speak on their behalf.
My humble request to the government, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, is to consider the following proposals for the next season:
1. Develop a well-planned budget for maize procurement that accurately reflects the expected tonnage, ensuring timely payments to farmers. Introduce new banks in towns where they only have one bank, with thousands of farmers lining up every day to get paid, like Kalomo district in the Southern Province. It deserves another bank to avoid the challenges being faced now.
2. Introduce a fast-track payment system for farmers with emergencies. This could involve allowing farmers to sell a limited number of bags at a reasonable price, providing them with immediate financial relief.
3. Establish partnerships with agro-dealers and other entities to offer farming inputs to farmers, with the cost deducted from their maize sales proceeds when payment is made.Most importantly, I urge the government to reconsider the payment system. I propose that farmers be paid directly into their bank accounts, Airtel Money accounts, etc., which they can access at their convenience. If the government can pay thousands of civil servants across the country their monthly salaries in their bank accounts, it simply means it’s easy to do that for farmers too. This would mitigate risks such as theft, reduce the need for farmers to spend days waiting in bank queues, and promote financial security.
These measures will go a long way in supporting our farmers, who are the backbone of our agricultural sector. I’m confident that with your leadership, the government can make a significant difference in the lives of these hardworking individuals.
I hope my requests are considered, and I look forward to seeing positive changes in the agricultural sector.
By Mitch Kenzie
Youth Activist(Michelo Kanchele)