KANKOYO UPND MP Heartson Mabeta says the UPND government has secured the rural vote after paying off farmers. Meanwhile, the Food Reserve Bill has passed the second reading stage in Parliament, with the Committee stage coming up on Friday. The Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Food Reserve Agency Act No. 6 of 2020 to align the FRA’s mandate with government’s policy of increasing private sector participation in the agricultural value chain, thereby reducing the fiscal burden on the treasury and promoting efficiency in agricultural markets. Debating the Food Reserve Bill in Parliament, Wednesday, Mabeta thanked government for paying farmers, adding that it would ensure a “total kolopa” (clean sweep) of rural votes in the August polls. “So as...