ACTING Minister of Agriculture Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane has disclosed that government has paid out K4.1 billion to farmers who supplied maize and rice to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), leaving an outstanding balance of K14.6 billion. Meanwhile, Dr Musokotwane says the agency is expected to purchase a total of 2.7 million metric tonnes of maize, which will bring the total stocks held by the FRA to 4.1 million metric tonnes. Giving an update on payments to farmers in a ministerial statement in the National Assembly, Tuesday, Dr Musokotwane said the ministry wanted to ensure that the bulk of payments were made in November. “Madam Speaker, the total value of maize and rice purchased by the Food Reserve Agency is currently...