Food Reserve Agency initiates purchase of white maize from small-scale farmers nationwide

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has with immediate effect commenced buying Grade A Non-genetically modified white maize from small-scale farmers countrywide.

The Agency is buying a 50kg bag of white maize at K330 or K6,600 per metric tonne in all its Satellite depots, according to its Executive Director, Mwansa Chamatete.

Chamatete announced this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday.

“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,” he said.

Chamatete stated that all satellite depots countrywide were now open and ready to receive maize from small-scale farmers.

He said due to the drought experienced, the Agency had been strategic in setting up depots and increased the number areas that did not experience drought and were 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,” Chamatete added.

He also announced that the Agency would be paying farmers through designated banks as well as mobile money platforms to quicken the payment process.

Chamatete further said the commencement of maize purchases in satellite depots compliments other initiatives already put in place by government.

“This is aimed at ensuring adequate response mechanisms to the drought situation in efforts aimed at replenishing National Strategic Food Reserves,” he stated.

Chamatete highlighted that the initiatives included Early Maize Programme with contracted commercial farmers and the maize mopping exercise.

He said due to the uniqueness of this year’s crop marketing season because of the dynamics brought into play by drought, farmers were encouraged to be more patriotic and support government efforts of sustaining National Food Security.

“In this regard, the Agency is appealing to farmers to prioritise household and national food security by selling their excess maize to the country through FRA,” Chamatete appealed.

He added that by doing so, farmers would be playing their role in making Zambia food secure and in sustaining the status.

Chamatete reminded the public that this was not a maize floor price but an offer price for FRA under the principle of willing seller and willing buyer.

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