Government assures full maize purchase in Central…

Government will this year buy all the maize that will be supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in Central Province. According to Central Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Milner Mwanakampwe, though the FRA was initially targeting to purchase 100,000 metric tons of the grain, the government resolved to ensure that all the maize supplied is procured.

Mwanakampwe said at a media briefing in Kabwe, that the government will also ensure that all the farmers who supply maize are paid within the three-day period as announced by President Hakainde Hichilema. He said that the government last year targeted to buy 80,000 metric tons but procured all the maize that was delivered to the FRA depots across the province. The Central Province Permanent Secretary appealed for calm among farmers saying there is no need for panic as their concerns will be addressed.

Dr Mwanakampwe has since advised farmers to ensure they open accounts with banks or mobile money providers to ease the payment of the maize that will be supplied to government. Last week, the FRA announced the maize floor price, the buying of maize at deports across the country is scheduled to start on Wednesday, this week.