The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) Executive Director, Chola Kamfwabulula says his Agency has bought 55,000 metric tons of maize out of the targeted 105,000 metric tons in Northern province as part of this year’s marketing seasons.
ZANIS reports that Mr. . Kamfwabulula has attributed the reduction in the maize purchase in the province to the freeing of the export ban.
He was quick to disclose that provinces like Eastern where the agency has received overwhelming response will compensate in an event where Northern Province fails to meet its target.
The Chief Executive Officer who confirmed the development in Mbala during his tour of the region to check on the 20116/2017 marketing season said that last year the agency bought most of its stock from the Northern Province because of the restriction ban on maize exports outside the country.
He noted that most of the farmers in Mpulungu and Mbala opted to sell their produce to the great lakes regions and beyond.
Mr. Kafwabulula is however, confident of meeting the national target 500,000 metric tons before the end of the marketing season.
He also expressed happiness that all the procured maize has already been secured in safe storage facilities.
And Lackson Chomba a farmer at Vyamba in Mpulungu district appealed to FRA to expedite their payments to give enough time for them to prepare for the 2017/2018 farming season.
Mr. Chomba expressed concern over delays by agency to clear their dues because the rains have already started.
no money no farmer no food
Maybe its the 60 pin per bag you offerred farmers and not the export ban ?
BA LT, I THOUGHT SOMEBODY EXPLAINED SOME TIME BACK WHY WE SHOULDN’T BE PRE-FIXING THE WORD FARMER WITH ‘PEASANT’. PLEASE, CAN ZAMBIANS STOP CALLING OUR FARMERS, PEASANT? JUST CALL THEM FARMERS.