Melo News | Thursday, 6 June 2024 | Lusaka
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has with immediate effect commenced buying Grade A Non-genetically modified white maize from small scale farmers in all its satellite depots countrywide. The Agency (FRA) is buying a 50 kg bag of white maize at K330 or K6,600 per metric tonne.
FRA executive director Mwansa Chamatete says the Agency has endeavoured to analyse the cost of production for maize, current market trends among others and the set price is therefore reflective of such considerations.
“In this regard, the Agency wishes to inform the public that all its satellite depots countrywide are now open and ready to receive maize from small-scale farmers,”he said.
Melo Media reports that Mr. Chamatete said due to the drought experienced, the Agency has been strategic in setting up depots and has increased the number of depots in areas that did not experience drought and are likely to record good harvests.
“During this year’s crop marketing season, the Agency is continuing to pay cash on the spot to farmers delivering maize to its depots. The Agency will also be paying farmers through designated banks as well as mobile money platforms to quicken the payment process,”he said.
Mr. Chamatete has further disclosed that the commencement of maize purchases in satellite depots compliments other initiatives already put in place by Government aimed at ensuring adequate response mechanisms to the drought situation in efforts aimed at replenishing National Strategic Food Reserves.
“These initiatives include the following among others: the Early Maize Programme with contracted commercial farmers and the maize mopping exercise.
“Due to the uniqueness of this year’s crop marketing season because of the dynamics brought into play by drought, farmers are encouraged to be more patriotic and support government efforts of sustaining National Food Security,”he said.
Mr. Chamatete appealed to farmers to prioritise household and national food security by selling their excess maize to the country through FRA.
“By doing so, farmers will be playing their role in making Zambia food secure and in sustaining the status.The Agency wishes to remind the public that the set price is not a floor price but an offer price for FRA under the principle of willing seller and willing buyer,”he said.
