Mulwanda commends FRA for improved maize payments

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Mweru Member of Parliament Lesley Mulwanda has commended the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for improving the maize buying and payment process this year, saying farmers are receiving their money faster compared to previous seasons.

Mr. Mulwanda says the 2026 marketing season has so far progressed smoothly, with farmers receiving payments through mobile money within days of delivering their maize.

“This year they’ve been very organised. Our people have delivered the maize to the depots, and within two, three days they are paid. The mode of payment has also improved,” Mr. Mulwanda said.

He said the shift from cash payments had also reduced the risks associated with farmers carrying large sums of money, particularly in rural areas where motorcycles are commonly used for transportation.

Mr. Mulwanda said the previous system, which relied on cash and later bank payments, presented challenges for farmers, including long queues and delays at the only available bank in his constituency.

He said FRA’s use of mobile money had eased the burden on farmers and improved access to their payments.

Mr. Mulwanda, however, warned farmers against sharing their mobile-money PINs as they receive payments, amid concerns over increasing cases of fraud.

“Please, even as this money is sent to your mobile money, do not share your PIN with anybody,” he cautioned.

He said some young people were targeting elderly farmers and attempting to obtain money through mobile-money scams.

Mr. Mulwanda has called on the police to strengthen surveillance and enforcement against cybercrime, particularly attacks targeting farmers who have received payments for their maize.

“We don't want Mweru constituents to be a crime scene for young people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mulwanda has urged farmers to reserve part of their maize harvest for household consumption amid forecasts of possible delayed rains and reduced rainfall.

He said although the country had recorded a bumper harvest, farmers should not sell all their grain without considering potential food shortages should the coming season perform poorly.

“Let us make sure that we reserve some for our families.” Mr. Mulwanda said.

He has also urged farmers to follow weather and meteorological updates to enable them to make informed decisions about the farming season.

Mr. Mulwanda called on the local council to consider supporting radio programmes that would educate communities on weather forecasts, including the possible effects of El Niño and delayed rainfall.

“Let's not take it like they always talk about this. This is serious. If we plan, we are not going to be caught napping,” he said.

He also commended the FRA for properly managing maize deliveries and urged farmers with low mobile-money transaction limits to increase them to ensure they can receive their payments without difficulties.

Ends

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