FRA reduces maize purchase

THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has reduced its target margin to buy maize by about 110, 000 metric tonnes for the 2018/ 19 marketing season compared to the last marketing season.

FRA secretary Martha Nalubamba in a notice issued in the Daily Nation yesterday, announced that they food intend to buy 390, 000 metric tonnes of maize for the 2018/19 marketing season.

FRA in the last marketing season set a target of 500, 000 metric tonnes for maize and managed to purchase 484,500 metric tonnes of the staple food.

Efforts to get a clarification from the chief executive officer, Chola Kafwabulula proved futile by press time as he was reportedly held up in a meeting.

Ms Nalubamba said this year’s marketing exercise would also include the purchase of at least 2,100 metric tonnes of paddy rice and 10,000 soya beans which would start on June 1, 2018 and close on October 31, 2018 subject to market dynamics.

“Farmers shall deliver their crops to designated satellite depots which will be operated by FRA representatives as buying agents. FRA representatives shall inspect the crop for quality and quantity and then issue appropriate documentation evidencing the transaction and crop deliveries shall be confirmed by FRA representatives at main holding depots who shall then process farmer’s payments,” she said.

Ms Nalubamba said this was pursuant to section 7 (2) (3) of the Food Reserve Act Cap 225 of the laws of Zambia.

Ms Nalubamba said farmers would present the (PRCN) or its equivalent and their National Registration Cards to a designated paying local bank or financial institution in order to receive payment.

She said the FRA may consider alternative methods that may be convenient for farmers that would supply crops if such need arose.