(LUSAKATIMES) Kazonga sends warning shots to FRA

COMMENT - Minister Eustarkio Kazonga looks like a very good guy. Maybe the AG's office has someone on loan to track down corrupt elements in the FRA. Farmers should be paid on delivery.

Kazonga sends warning shots to FRA
By LusakaTimes
Monday, December 6, 2010, 9:02

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Eustarkio Kazonga has said the Food Reserve Agency has exported about 83, 000 metric tonnes of Maize to Zimbabwe while about 300, 000 metric tonnes more has been advertised for sale eying Congolese market.

Speaking during the national Watch program on ZNBC yesterday, Dr. Kazonga said plans were also underway to overhaul the crop marketing system in the country.

Dr Kazonga says his ministry has developed models of how the crops marketing should be conducting in the country and said he would present the models to cabinet for approval.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kazonga said he was aware of corruption elements in the payment systems of farmers who had supplied maize to the agency.

“Reports have been received of such irregularities in the payment system. Some farmers who supplied maize to FRA earlier have not yet gotten payment but those who supplied later on have been cleared. That is unacceptable, I am asking the farmers to report such acts and anyone who who will be found wanting will be dealt with at whatever level,” Kazonga said.

He also announced that the distribution of inputs to farmers is nearly complete with 90 percent of seeds and 70 percent of the fertilizer distributed so far throughout the country.

Dr Kazonga said government anticipates another bumper harvest of three million metric tonnes this season.

He said government is currently looking for funds to construct and rehabilitate silos in readiness for the bumper harvest next year.

“I have instructed the new board at FRA to start preparing for next year’s harvest, this issue of starting to look for empty bags in September and October will not be tolerated,” he said.

Dr Kazonga said so far government has spent 11 million dollars constructing storage facilities in Mbala,Chambishi, Petauke,Kapiri,Chisamba Mufumbwe and Kaluma in Southern province.