WE WANT ATTRACTIVE MAIZE PRICE - FARMERS

GOVERNMENT should offer attractive prices if the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is to meet the intended one million metric tonnes of maize target, says the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU).

And the ZNFU has said President Edgar Lungu’s announcement that Government through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will buy one million tonnes of maize this marketing season is a positive development that will guarantee the country’s food security amidst Covid-19.

ZNFU public relations officer, Calvin Kaleyi said the maize floor price for this season should be cost reflective.

Mr Kaleyi said the 2020 maize floor price should reflect the cost of production including cost of fertiliser, seed, transport and packaging among others.

Mr Kaleyi said the maize floor price for the forthcoming crop marketing season will determine whether FRA will meet the targeted one million tonnes of maize.

“We expect Government to announce prices that are attractive and cost reflective because the price for this season will determine whether the announced target will be met.

Farmers want prices that will reflect full cost recovery such as cost of fertiliser, seed, transport, packaging among other costs,” Mr Kaleyi said.

Mr Kaleyi has urged farmers to be patient and wait for maize moisture content to drop before selling their commodity.

He said farmers especially those in the border towns are selling their maize cheaply due to high moisture content and buyers offer lower prices.

Mr Kaleyi said the announcement by President Lungu will provide a ready market for the farmers.

He said the announcement by the President that government will double maize purchase will guarantee the country’s found security amidst Covid-19 period.

He said the increase in the amount of maize to be bought by government will provide a ready market for farmers who are experiencing a bumper harvest this season.

“This is a very positive development because it is double the number the agency has been buying for the past few years which has been about 500 metric tonnes,” Mr Kaleyi said.

He said smallscale farmers are assured of up takers and will give them comfort.

“This statement by the head of State is futuristic looking at the post Covid-19 because we need to ensure that we are food secured as a country,” Mr Kaleyi said. He said there was need to put certain resilient measures to ensure food security in the wake of Covid-19.