Chiefs in Petauke district say government has left many small scale farmers vulnerable to exploitative prices by the private sector due to inadequate markets.
Speaking from Nsimbo palace, senior Chief Kalindawalo said the Food Reserve Agency’s (FRA) measure of 4,000 bags of maize per deport was a mockery to farmers as they could not manage to sell even a quarter of the produce.
And in another interview, Chieftainess Nyanje wondered how a farmer should be given the measure when the same farmer had already measured what to sell and the surplus.
The traditional rulers said farmers have been educated that farming was business and as such their business partners, who are FRA, should show seriousness the business of farming deserves, adding that there was no way the producer should be restricted to a certain access to the market.
Chieftainess Nyanje said her chiefdom had more than 7,000 farmers with the capacity of producing an average of 1,500 bags of maize and being given to sell only 153 bags per farmer was a mockery to them.
The chiefs said the FRA has given the farmers to the exploiters who are buying maize at very cheap prices, thereby pushing the farmers towards the poverty line.
The traditional leaders have advised government to devise a mechanism that would protect small scale farmers from exploitation by some private buyers.
The chiefs have also implored the government to revisit their proposed reduction in a pack of eight to four bags of fertilizer under the FSP.
They said the proposed reduction from eight bags to four bags per pack would only increase poverty and food insecurity.
ZANIS
We need serious and committed leadership. The current leaders have no pity for the suffering masses. I can guarantee you that these policies are meant to benefit the leaders who will cash in on cheap maize because farmers can not access the market. This is shameful and with all the education and ability that Zambians have, it is time we had a complete change in the way we do things and our people can be proud to be called Zambians. Wa can do it
Indeed FRA are a joke. Do they know how much effort those rural farmers put in to produce that maize. Please govnt change the management at FRA coz they do not seem to know what they are doing-they are play boys and girls-period. Next thing you hear that farmers are selling their maize to neighbouring countries and hunger follows in the country. This is bull….
FRA has failed to perform to its expectation. Where on earth does one determine that each satelite depot should only buy a maximum of 4,000 x 50kg bags. This same complaint has bin raised some where in Mpulungu. I was certain Dr. Anthony Mwanawumo with PhD and experience at Agriculture would provide direction but he has proved different. Should I say the man is more of City of Lusaka or GRZ is failing him. GRZ should not just be sin to be talking but lead the way. If there is no funding locally let FRA allow millers buy the maize mill it and export to DRC and the likes. The other day Brief Case men were being called names in Ithezi Thezi that they are exploiting peasant farmers. Wait and see GRZ wants to create artificial shortage to facilitate importation of maize at later stage. ABASH
and why can’t FRA buy all that maize at a reasonable price from farmers, store it for local consumption and export some when need. There are alot of countries that are hungry and can buy this maize at any high price any time. How about that?