The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) says it may increase maize exports to Zimbabwe following the reports of food shortages in that country.
The FRA has so far exported over 230,000 metric tonnes of white maize valued at over 39 million US dollars.
In a statement, FRA Public Relations Assistant, Michael Mazakaza has stated that the Agency has also sold over 57,000 metric tonnes of white maize on the local market valued at over 10.3 million US dollars.
Mr. Mazakaza has stated that the maize exports to Zimbabwe may be on Government to Government basis as the FRA will use existing diplomatic channels.
Among countries to which the FRA has sold its maize are Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and Mozambique.
Meanwhile the FRA says it is anticipating a good crop during the 2011 marketing season.
[ MUVI ]
this food reserve is very corrupt. I wonder how Bwezani lets his relatives treat Zambians in this manner?
We are in possession of media reports showing Gov’t releasing huge sums for purchase of Maize and at what price. But what is being done by the FRA corrupt @ssholes is they frustrate people into making losses. If you want to sell at the gov’t set price FRA won’t entertain you, if you sell for a loss your crops wont rot. So what are we breaking out backs for whole year round? Corrupt individuals and liars these FRA, nothing they say is truthful, every farmer is being tricked by selfish people
Grow Cassava to punish them, hahahaha! On a serious note though, I few for you LAP GREEN. My family at the farm do complain about the same FRA. Sometimes you wonder whose interests some of these govt entities were created to look after.
Farmers are the most underpaid and unappreciated people in the Zambian economy. It is really a shame. How are you going to have food security if farmers can’t make enough to reinvest and grow? Come to the USA and observe how the govt her treat their farmers. Farmers here get subsides up to their necks. That’s why poor Countries like Zambia should forget about competing with the West in Agricultural food stuffs. The govt should just support our farmers so we can feed our region. Honest and fair compensation for our farmers would be a gtood start.
this is what i have been talking about. gov has no business in business. the maize will be export at a below average commercial value and zambia will remain footing the bill to make FRA look like they are doing well. the same thing has been happening to NCZ, Zamtel, Zanaco and the lot. gov needs to get out of business and concentrate on governing and leave businesss to business person/private individuals.
Global Citizen. I could not agree with you more. Government has created more problems than it has solved. The power of the market is all we need not the government interventions.
FRA has been force by gov to sell maize at a below market value to zambian millers. now this is meant to keep the price of maize meal down. now this sounds noble but collectively the tax payers will foot the shortfall to keep FRA to alive and viable. this is what happens when gov is running businesses. later they will start doing what UNIP was doing borrowing from future generations. our grand children will be born in debt.