The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) has lashed out at Millers Association of
Zambia (MAZ) president Andrew Chintala in the escalation of a price war for the Maize price announced by the Food and Reserver Agency.
In a statement released to the media, ZNFU said that the MAZ president was better of shutting his mouth on matters of Agriculture that he did not understand, saying that ZNUF will not allow farmers to be taken advantage of.
Mr Chintala had reacted to a statement by ZNFU where the union said it was investigating reports that millers had been told not to buy maize from farmers at a price higher than the K110 per 50kg which Food Reserve Agency was offering.
Below is the full ZNUF’s statement
PRESS RELEASE
12th August, 2020
MAZ PRESIDENT; SHUT UP!
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) is extremely disappointed with the Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) president and his surrogates for exhibiting high levels of ignorance on agriculture matters to the public.
The MAZ president is better off shutting up than talk about things that he does not understand. We warned the MAZ president two (2) years ago to stop exposing his ignorance on issues of agriculture, but he does not learn lessons.
Our statement which reads in part clearly states that and we quote; “ZNFU is also INVESTIGATING reports where millers have been instructed not to buy maize at a price beyond what the Food Reserve
Agency [FRA] is offering of K110 for 50kg bag of maize at FARM GATE …” We did not talk about INTO-MILL prices.
Why is the MAZ president jumpy, when we have clearly stated that we are INVESTIGATING REPORTS? Why is he afraid that we investigate these reports?
To investigate means to probe, study, scrutinize, or examine, just to lecture him on this term. For the record, we have been receiving reports from our District Farmers’ Associations (DFAs) around the country, which we are further INVESTIGATING, or STUDYING the matter. What is wrong with us INVESTIGATING these reports?
Why should the MAZ president and his surrogates talk about targets when MAZ has not been mandated by Government to meet any targets?
Why speak on behalf of Government and the FRA when he is neither the spokesperson for Government nor the FRA, nor is he an agent of Government?
We do understand that his ignorance is perpetuated by his surrogates for personal gain. The Union will from now on expose the MAZ president in every way possible.
The MAZ president’s statement is malicious and should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves as he is meddling in issues that affect farmer growth and national food security. He clearly does not support the plight or cause of farmers but that of his and his surrogates’.
We shall not allow our farmers to be taken advantage of by individuals that barely have the knowledge of agriculture. The Union will always stand for the truth and nothing but the truth.
It’s a catch 22 situation. Higher price for farmers means higher price of mealie meal for consumers. Lower price of mealie meal for consumers means lower prices for farmers.
Childish organisations in charge of very important commodities
I couldnt help but notice the size of this man’s lips in the picture. I hear those lips are to die for in diaspora where whlte women go under the knife to get big lips. There it is a sign of attractivness meanwhile here this man was probably bullied over his lips.
How i wish i could meet this KZ in a secluded place…Just the two of us… i would W..P….. his….AR……
Jimmy make peace and love and not war. Why would you want to hit me for expressing my views and excercising my human rights. a man of my success and stature, i douby you would lay a single finger on me.
Jimmy make peace and love and not war. Why would you want to hit me for expressing my views and excercising my human rights. a man of my success and stature, i douby you would lay a single finger on me. Kaizar
Ba Kaisale mwatampa ulubuli, tamwaleka, 2021 ili mupepi, ngayapita mukala pumwa ngamwatwalilila.
I think the MAZ President was right to instruct his fellow millers not to buy maize from farmers at a price higher than the FRA stipulated price. And in doing so, he has sided with the majority poor Zambians who fall victims to escalating higher prices of mealie meal.
Why would millers pay a single ngwee more than FRA is offering? Does MAZ look like charity? Millers pay immediately in cash while with FRA farmers never know if and when they’ll get their money.
But please, you should also think about the price of fertilizer per bag and it’s not every farmer benefits inputs from the government, no farmer no life.