‘Announce new maize floor price quickly’

STAKEHOLDERS including the Church have called on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to quickly announce the neZ mai]e floor Srice because the current K65 is a mockery to the farmers. Youths in Business (YIB) said the . floor price for maize is an assault to the small and medium scale farmers who laboured to yield for a positive harvest.

YIB executive secretary, Steven Nyirenda said the small-scale and medium farmers had invested resources into maize growing and expected a reasonable return.

He said FRA should quickly announce the upward adjustment of the maize price because the earlier price level has sent the nation into panic.

Mr Nyirenda said most small and medium scale farmers were involved in labour intensive farming as they depended on the traditional methods of farming.

Mr Nyirenda said in an interview that the small and medium scale farmers deserved a better floor price to motivate them and ensure national food security.

In a separate interview,

Founder of Mercy Centre

Apostolic Mission, Patrick Chibeshi said low floor price would discourage the small and medium farmers to be involved in the production of maize.

Apostle Chibeshi said the recent announced floor price was the worst ever in the history of the country.

"The small and medium scale farmers should not labour for nothing because they need to enjoy the fruits of their sweat. Therefore, FRA should immediately announce a new floor maize price that will benefit the farmers, Apostle Chibeshi said.