SMALLHOLDER FARMERS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORT EXPOSES K19.6M IRREGULAR PAYOUTS
By Philip Sikainda Jr
The National Association for Smallholder Farmers has expressed concern over revelations in the latest Auditor General’s Report that 2,339 farmers whose details could not be traced on the authorised national farmer register under the Zambia Integrated Agriculture Management Information System redeemed farming inputs valued at K19.6 million.
Association Executive Director Dr. Frank Kayula says it is unacceptable that individuals who are not active farmers but are employed elsewhere have been included on the beneficiary list.
Dr. Kayula notes that the names could not have found themselves on the register, adding that those responsible for adding them must be traced, removed from the system and held accountable.
He has further questioned why more than 8,000 farmers who were entitled to insurance pay-outs amounting to K113 million have not been paid, attributing the lapse to failure by government to follow up.
Dr. Kayula has also taken strong exception to findings under the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility-SAFF-, where close to 9,000 individuals who did not apply for support benefited while legitimate farmers were turned away.
He tells Phoenix News that such conduct should not go unpunished and is demanding restitution and prosecution to serve as a deterrent.
PHOENIX NEWS