One 50kg of maize for each household a month - FRA

THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has moved its selling points to satellite depot locations to allow communities easily access maize, with each household only entitled to buy one 50 kilogramme bag per month.

FRA is selling a 50 kg bag of maize under this programme at K330.00.

Shang’ombo, Gwembe, Kabwe, Kalomo, Mumbwa, Lukulu, Sinazongwe, Zambezi, Ikelengi, and Kazungula are among the districts currently benefitting from this programme.

This is according to FRA Public Relations Coordinator, John Chipandwe, in a statement issued yesterday.

FRA in February was directed by President Hakainde Hichilema to enhance community sales and ensure that maize was made available to vulnerable households in the affected areas following the current drought situation.

Responding to the directive, Mr Chipandwe said maize will now be prepositioned in satellite locations closer to communities in areas affected by drought and consequently reduce the distances for communities to access the maize on sale.

“Arising from the current situation, FRA has re-strategised its community sales approach by moving selling points from centralised district depot locations to satellite depot locations that were used as buying locations during the previous crop marketing season.

“It should be noted that each household is entitled to buy only one 50 kilogramme bag per month and affected districts such as Shang’ombo, Gwembe, Kabwe, Kalomo, Mumbwa, Lukulu, Sinazongwe, Zambezi, Ikelengi, and Kazungula just to mention but a few are currently benefitting from this programme,” he said.

Mr Chipandwe noted that FRA has intensified the community sales programme and is implementing the programme in 84 districts spread across the drought affected provinces as an intervention aimed at addressing food insecurity.

“Therefore, the agency expects the local leadership in deserving areas to utilise this opportunity and apply for maize under this programme for the vulnerable communities/households to benefit and address their food needs.

“It should be noted that this programme is a direct, affordable and cheaper alternative that provides maize for milling into mealie meal to ensure household food security in vulnerable communities countrywide,” Mr Chipandwe said.

In February 2024, President Hichilema declared the drought situation as a national disaster.