Millers warn Government

…Fix maize floor price to avoid expensive mealie meal

DELAYS by Government to announce the 2020 maize floor price will result in farmers selling their commodity to “briefcase” buyers at giveaway prices, the millers have lamented.

The millers fear that once maize was in short supply, there would be an escalation in mealie meal prices.

DELAYS

by Government to announce the 2020 maize floor price will result in farmers selling their commodity to “briefcase” buyers at giveaway prices, the millers have lamented.

The millers fear that once maize was in short supply, there would be an escalation in mealie meal prices.

One of the millers in Isoka, Vichili Vikwiza Millers Director Elijah Sinkolongo said “briefcase” buyers had already invaded the district to buy maize from small-scale farmers.

“We appeal to Government through FRA to quickly announce the floor price of maize for this season so as to encourage farmers from selling maize to briefcase buyers,” Mr Sinkolongo said.

And Mr Sinkolongo said his company would buy over 20 tonnes of maize from farmers in Isoka and Mafinga.

He advised farmers against selling their produce to unscrupulous foreign buyers, as this would compromise the country’s food security.

He said farmers should instead sell their maize to local millers and the Food Reserve Agency.

“We would like to advise farmers against selling their maize to buyers from Tanzania and Malawi as this will compromise the country’s food security,” he said.

Meanwhile, some millers in Lusaka have also advised Government to quickly announce the maize price.