Government has maintained last year’s maize flow price of K65,000 per 50 kilogram bag or K1.3 million per metric ton for the 2012/ 2013 marketing season.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Emmanuel Chenga has told a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that government has taken into account all factors but not restricted to social and economic factors.
Mr. Chenda explained that government has taken this decision in order to protect the food security of the country and also to ensure that small scale farmers who produce over 80 percent of maize are not discouraged from producing the crop in subsequent years.
He adds that government will also consider reducing the cost of production to ensure that the Zambian maize is competitive on the international market.
Mr. Chenda has therefore directed the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to put in place necessary logistics in readiness for the commencement of the 2012/ 2013 crop marketing season.
The minister has further warned that only farmers are expected to sell their maize to the FRA and not traders as has been the case in the past.
QFM
First PF blow to the unwanted farmer.
Ba PF you criticised the setting of the maize price floor at K65,000 saying it was above the market price and therefore pushing the mealie-meal prices high. Can you justify why you criticised this together with ka M’membe who supported that the market should determine the market price. The Post not very long ago carried out an editorial against setting maize prices. I support setting of the maize price but there should be consistency with principle.
Maize Farming is not a profitable venture in Zambia. I did the calculations and I found that it is not worth it. You may want to consider the Transport sector if you are in it for the money.
Chimbwi no policy, they criticise “the previous government” and yet they have no alternative policy. They are totally blank of new ideas, wonder what would have happened if they did not inherit ideas and policies from MMD. Sound or not sound, perceived corrupt or not, at least RB’s Cabinet left something in writing which those without ideas of their own can follow.
Excellent decision!!!!!!!
iam a farmer myself however putting the price of maize at k65,000 is not economically productive.The government should reduce the input prices than subsdsing the selling price.