Green Party Secretary General Daniel Sichilongo has expressed concern over the continued use of cash payments by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to compensate farmers for maize supplies, warning that the system exposes farmers to serious security risks and unnecessary inconvenience.
In a statement issued to Flava News, Mr. Sichilongo said social media has been flooded with images of farmers queuing for long hours in various districts to receive cash payments, a situation he described as outdated more than six decades after Zambia’s independence and unsuitable in the digital era.
He questioned why Zambia has not fully adopted secure mobile money and electronic payment systems, similar to Kenya’s M-Pesa model, to enhance farmer safety, improve efficiency, and promote financial inclusion.
Mr. Sichilongo further linked the continued use of cash payments to systemic failures and weak legislative oversight, arguing that Members of Parliament should take the lead in championing long-term policy reforms. He said such reforms should include modern payment frameworks and legal provisions to support the widespread use of electronic money.
He cited reported cases of farmers being assaulted and robbed after receiving cash as evidence of the urgent need to reform the current payment system.
While acknowledging the importance of short-term security measures, Mr. Sichilongo emphasised that Parliament remains the appropriate platform to drive sustainable solutions. He added that strong leadership and informed voter choices are critical to addressing recurring governance and service delivery challenges.
