FARMERS REMAIN STRANDED OVER DELAYED SAFF LOANS

By Helga Chibwe

Hundreds of farmers in Choma District, Southern Province, remain stranded at NATSAVE Bank, seeking access to agriculture loans through the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) program.

This initiative, introduced by the government, aims to boost agricultural activities among small-scale farmers.

The farmers, who have been struggling to secure finances for their agricultural endeavors, report that they had to use money intended for inputs to buy more seeds following the launch of the SAFF program.

They are now urging the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, to expedite the SAFF process to prevent potential crop failure and subsequent hunger.

Southern Province Agriculture Officer Alfred Sianjase has advised farmers to use other banks in the area to access the funds.