Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo has expressed ignorance on when the agro dealers will be paid the money owed to them for inputs supplied starting in 2017.
Mr Katambo said he is not aware when the Ministry of Finance will release the money to dismantle the K374 million owed to agro dealers.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday Mr Katambo said as of November 2019, government had paid K804 million to agro dealers leaving a balance of K374 million.
He said in a Ministerial statement that agro dealers are a critical stakeholder in the implementation of the e-voucher system under the farmer input support program hence the commitment by government to pay them quickly.
Mr Katambo has since called for patience among agro dealers saying government is working hard to clear the arrears saying engagements are ongoing between his Ministry and the Ministry of Finance on the release of money to pay the agro dealers.
Meanwhile Mr Katambo told parliament that government has engaged national suppliers to fill the gap created by agro dealers who have refused to give inputs to farmers.
And Mr Katambo said reports that some Ministers have companies that have been engaged to supply inputs are false.
He has challenged people making the allegations to provide evidence for their allegations.
