Melo News | Thursday, June 27, 2024 | Lusaka
Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo has revealed that the government, in response to President Hakainde Hichilema’s declaration of a national disaster caused by drought, has taken action by procuring around 120,000 metric tonnes of maize through the food reserve agency (FRA) since the initiation of relief maize purchases last month.
Mr. Mtolo emphasized that the FRA will persist in purchasing maize at k330 per 50-kilogram bag or k6,600.00 per metric tonne, and encouraged the public to seize the opportunity to sell the commodity at various FRA depots nationwide.
Mr. Mtolo highlighted that these initiatives are aimed at mitigating the immediate effects of the drought crisis on food availability and affordability, while also bolstering long-term agricultural sustainability and resilience in the country.
Additionally, Mr. Mtolo urged all winter maize farmers in the nation to make use of off-peak-hour power imports for overnight irrigation to prevent crop losses as a result of load-shedding.
