By Daily Revelation Reporter
Agriculture minister Mutolo Phiri says the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF), is facing some challenges among them, some opaque transactions fueled by few agro dealers.
He explained that significant gaps had been noticed in the validation mechanism for these transactions and some cases of collusion between framers and agro dealers had been reported, thereby undermining the integrity of the programme.
Mutolo explained that measures had been instituted such as enhancing the validation processes, increasing programme oversight and improving integration with the Zambia integrated Agriculture Management Information System (ZIAMIS).
In response Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane observed that while SAFF had registered significant strides, the challenges it faced in efficiently distributing and utilizing funds required timely improvements in system integration, oversight and farmer support, so as to optimize the impact and effectiveness of facility, a proposal to which the agriculture minister responded in the affirmative.
The two ministers stated that going forward, the government would continue to stand by its commitment of actualizing national development priorities by continuing with transformational reforms and budget integrity, to maintain economic recovery on a positive trajectory of growth and prosperity.
They affirmed that initiatives such as the SAFF, reflected the determination of President Hakainde Hichilema to ensure that citizens reach their full potential through the efficient delivery of public services across board and in all regions of the country.
The two ministers also stated that they would remain steadfast in their ambition to address concerns and challenges that Zambians are facing and duty bound to create fiscal space for achievement of national development aspirations.
Dr. Musokotwane stated that the Strategic Agriculture Finance Facility was a clincher in the empowerment of small scale entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector who were under the Input Support Programme (FISP).
Phiri stated that under the SAFF, for which 20,250 applications had been registered, loans amounting to K117,216,150 have so far been approved of which K110, 780, 544.00 or 99 percent had successfully been disbursed to 4,528 beneficiaries , countrywide.
This is according to a press release issued by the office of The Secretary to the Treasury.
