explaining to the Minister of Agriculture Dora Silaya(r) as she toured
the Food Reserve Agency
Last week, FRA executive director Chola Kafwabulula threatened to drag ZNFU to court for urging farmers to hold on to their maize so that they do not sell the commodity to the agency.
But in a statement yesterday, ZNFU second vice-president Austin Shinachize said no amount of pressure or threats will stop farmers from getting a good price for their crop because they need to regenerate money for further investments.
“We as farmers are the owners of the commodity [maize], and we are ready to be sued for refusing to sell our crop for a pittance. The buyer cannot dictate the price at which to buy the crop. The producer, the seller should,” Mr Shinachize said.
He said the best route FRA can take is to re-negotiate the price of maize with farmers, failure to which they will continue holding on to the commodity.
“If FRA thinks the solution lies in the court process, we are ready to face them. But as far as ZNFU is concerned, we are still waiting for a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture whom we wrote a letter to so that the farmers’ cry can be heard,” he said.
There has been a stand-off between FRA and ZNFU over the K60 price for a 50kg bag of maize.
FRA and the Minister of Agric Dollar Siliza are a big let down! You have failed Zambian farmers- farming is the main economic activity and the main employer in Zambia! Almost 56 percent of all Zambians depend on farming! Just increasing the price by 30negwee from K1.2 to K1.5 per kg translating into an additional 15million US dollars to the 50 millionUSD (for purchase of 500,000 tons) of govt expenditure is all the farmers are asking for. That 15million is the money parliament spends on allowances, salaries and luxury SUVs in just a quarter (3months). Let’s be serious with life people! Why allow fat Millers to become richer at the expense of poor farmers! I’m very disappointed! Keep up the fight ba ZNFU!
Eish !!!! That woman in the picture is FAAAAT!
Bravo @ 2020vision! Zambian Farmers through the ZNFU should stand up and be counted! Economics of production and marketing are not assessed from the heart and political expediency! Had Zambian leaders divorced politicking from the free market a long time ago all this mediocrity of flip flopping between capitalist and socialist policies would have been long settled!
If FRA has no capacity to match market forces then government must open up markets by lifting the ban on exporting farmers produce, specifically grain as is the case!
Thambs up 2020vision for a professional comment. Its fair when read with an open mind.
And If FRA Takes ZNFU To Court And ZNFU Loses The Case, I’ll Encourage ZNFU To Urge Farmers Next Year To Boycott Growing Excess Maize For Selling, To Jst Sell For Their Suitable Home/Extended Family Consuption, So That Dora Siliya, Cabinet And FRA They All Feel The Pinch Of How Farmers Cry When Going Through These Challenges.
Good move ZNFU it is about time farmers were considered .
Farming is a business. So why should a farmer be forced to sell maize at a loss. It is a Seller’s market so market forces will determine the price. FRA has no choice but to match the Choongwe Cooperative maize price of K80 per 50kg if they want to buy the commodity from the farmers.
good move guys..keep the maize..hunger will strike some day and the prices may go up!!
But I thought I heard the Minister of Agriculture indicate that the farmers are free to look for any alternative market where they can sell their produce at a higher price.
Why do they have to be compelled to sell to FRA when there was no agreement or contract signed between them to do business?
This is really dangerous.
Does dora even know the cost of a 25 kg mealie meal bag. The only thing shes good at is lip stick and mini skirts.
Some people don’t think! The cost of inputs( D compound ) was just too high last year, why do you have to reduce the selling price of maize when fertilizer was expensive?? If dora wants to reduce the selling price of maize, let her start by reducing the selling price of fertilizer.
And who is Chola Kafwabulula by the way as Director to dictate/compel farmers to sell their produce at K60 further even to have the courage to threaten ZNFU an old farmers institution formed before FRA that this man can begin to play with not realising his position is as a result of the same farmers his organisation wants to deprive yet farming is business?Indeed like Second Vice President has indicated it will still not help FRA by dragging ZNFU to court.I just wish farmers country wide heed ZNFU advice/directives so that maize is with held and no one sells it to FRA later this grant aided institution winds up ukupesha Kafwabulula.