Thursday, March 28, 2024

ZNFU advises farmers over low soya and maize prices

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The Zambia National Farmers’ Union has advised farmers that with poor prices that they experienced last year, they should exercise caution and be mindful of people that are giving them offers for their Soya Beans and maize at below full cost recovery prices.

ZNFU Spokesman Calvin Kaleyi said the ZNFU is aware of some buyers that are offering farmers prices for Soya Beans for as low as K2 per Kilogram and K40 for a 50kg bag of maize.

“We call upon farmers not to be desperate to accept such poor price offers, but instead should start bulking their grain so that they can negotiate good prices for their commodities,” Mr Kaleyi said.

“We are aware that the market is liberalised, but farmers this year should not accept any prices below K3 per kg, but instead should negotiate K3 per kg and above. The ZNFU wishes to inform farmers that it is currently in talks with some renowned buyers and those interested to use the Union’s channels should contact the Union for more information on Market linkages.”

He added, “Already, we have managed to organise markets for Eastern Province and the buyers will soon move to Central and Southern Provinces.”

12 COMMENTS

    • Sounds like going against the soya processing plant commissioned by Ba Edgar. That plant will grind nothing.

  1. ZNFU is finally justifying its existence. This is as it should be. Maybe you can financially assist the more desperate to hold outon the price. Kudus to ZNFU.

  2. This is the way to go. I think instead of just taking an advisory position, ZNFU should play the role of FRA and categorically announce that the price of soya, or any other crop, for that matter, will be … I am saying this because poor farmers do not have capacity to negotiate for better prices as individuals. Otherwise we will continue to be conned by briefcase buyers, as usual, in desperation to have that money we only see once in a year.

    • Unfortunately that’s how a liberalized economy works. Market forces determine the prices. He made sure to mention “liberalized market.” Future is again bleak for farmers.

  3. ZNFU is considered an elitist Union, it doesn’t represent farmers in the lower income bracket. They need to do more to capture many farmers that are currently on FISP because many will perish when they’re weaned in the next 2 seasons. They just can’t do without govt support. Financial desperation has contributed to poor marketing, as such farmers don’t get value for their toil

  4. Zambian farmers and especially small and medium scale farmers are left to the wolves and hyenas calling themselves private buyers who exploit them to the core, and seriously erode the farmers assets making them poorer. Our government does not give a damn what happens to our farmers except singing the moribund song of promoting the agriculture sector. ZNFU should work hard to protect our hard working farmers that are feeding this nation. Farmers in the west do well because they are heavily subsidized by their governments. Look at the world trade imbalance between the west and so called developing world. Our government should wake up. Look at how the East African small and medium farmers are rewarded for instance for their hard work by governments providing enabling environment for them…

  5. ZNFU is really a toothless tiger its lack of action has affected poor farmers. Today the price of a 25kg bag of breakfast has been increased from K75 to K80 and yet a bag of maize is still being bought at less than or equal to K60. Where is the justification here? If the cost of fuel is the issue what about the cost that a farmer also incurs on transporting that maize? No this is unacceptable! The govt can manage to keep mealie meal prices low and at the same time see to it farmers are not expolited by giving the crooked millers tax rebates and other incentives to offset the high price of mealie meal but then at the same time farmers must be given a reasonable price! Not giving farmers a good price affects the general economy, low income leads to low cash flow in the rural areasl-let’s…

  6. Ctn…Let’s give the farmers a price above the break even figure of K75 a 50kg! Failure to do that then I believe this will give a bad picture on the govt’s stance with agriculture and come 2021 it will be a sealed no vote from the rural community across the land as a sign of no confidence in a govt that has seen farmers sell their produce which they sweated for being sold at a pittance to crooked middlemen buyers and the thieving bosses the millers with the assistance of crooked govt officers!

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