Government through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has bought about 156,789 by 50 kilogramme bags of white maize at a cost of over K10.1billion in Solwezi district of North Western Province.
Solwezi District Commissioner Frobisher Fulayi disclosed that K9, 840,480,000 has so far been paid to the farmers while K305,805,000 for 5 397 by 50 kg bags of white maize was yet to be paid.
Mr. Fulayi said over 95 percent of the purchased crop had been mopped up to the main storage depot.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Solwezi today that mitigation measures have been put in place to secure the crop from being soaked by rains.
Mr. Fulayi said the maize had been covered with tents where sheds are not available.
The District Commissioner expressed gratitude to Government for its commitment towards paying farmers for the maize purchased, adding that this would enable farmers plan for the 2010/2011 farming season.
Mr. Fulayi encouraged farmers to plan effectively and work even harder to have another bumper harvest to sustain food security at household level.
[ ZANIS ]
frobisher!