THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has announced 474,170 metric tonnes maize, translating to 9.3 million bags of maize valued at K711 million, has been bought within a month in the country.
FRA Executive Director Chola Kafwabulula announced in the District Commissioner’s office in Chipata on Wednesday that of this Northern Province had the highest tonnage with 94,818 metric tonnes while Western Province was at the bottom with 7,000 metric tonnes.
He said out of the total amount owed to farmers, FRA disbursed K96 million to various districts.
“Let me take this opportunity to announce the latest crop purchase for the whole country, we have so far purchased 474,170 metric tonnes of maize valued at K711 million,” he said.
Mr Kafwabulula said the ministry of finance was expected to release about K300 million to pay the farmers who were still owed the money.
He said FRA had the huge mandate to run the marketing season adding that stringent measures have been put in place to ensure that it minimised on what transpired in the last marketing season where the agency encountered a lot of challenges with the payment of farmers.
He said in Eastern Province, the FRA has managed to buy 75,000 metric tonnes of maize from the farmers.
He said Eastern Province, Petauke had the highest purchase of maize.
Mr Kafwabulula said a lot of purchases were expected to be conducted before the closure of the crop marketing season.
He said the expectation of the FRA was to ensure that all farmers were paid within two weeks after sell of maize.
He also said the agency had in the last two years reduced the wastage of maize to one percent.
Mr Kafwabulula said the reduction in the wastage of maize because of the investment plans which the agency had embarked on in the country.
“The FRA has in the last two years reduced the wastage of maize by one percent and we have worked on the mechanism to ensure that the commodity does not go to waste,” he said.
He said currently FRA through the investment plans would construct 98 sheds with the capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes of which 18 would be constructed in Eastern Province.
Mr Kafwabulula said 18 sheds at cost of US$ 13 million would be constructed in Sinda, Nyimba, Chadiza, Lundazi, Mambwe, Vubwi, Chipata, Katete and Petauke districts.
And Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu commended the agency for reducing the wastage of maize.
He said FRA deserve a part for reducing the wastage of maize to one percent saying previous Government had been wasting the commodity through wastage.
Mr Zulu said he would be glad to see the FRA continues paying the farmers in order to avoid what happened in the last marketing season.
That is the result of the populations of monkeys plundering the crop have been depleted…
The heading says production, not consumption. Your prejudice might kill ya.
On a serious note, $700,000 + for a shed of metal beams and corrugated roofing? Building is very expensive in Zambia.
Congratulations FRA for the good management, please keep it up. Zambia is a grain basket for the region and the market is there so no wastage. With the price of metals we can once again depend on agriculture.
Its not true,the headline should read fra buys more maize in northern province,the buying can be political whereas production is hardwork and skill,kaloo alone can produce all that maize,ask the ministry of agriculture for production figures,dont tell lies!:
With a new government in place next year, even all these cooked up/ rigged statistics will be corrected.
I think the statistics show those who could have sold to the FRA more than others for there have been many market sources else where.That should not make any’s hbp raise.But again there factors that should be considered.
This is a result of these bemba thieves stealing maize from Tanzania and pretending to have produced it locally. That is why bembas always want one of them in statehouse
Shu Shu Shu while others are counting on the past glory the Northerners are busy developing, well done folks.No one has stopped any one from selling to FRA.
Southern province is no longer a Maize belt because of the shift in rain pattern do not blame FRA, Sir.
Cheers PF we are behind you we guys from the Western world.
No province can beat Eastern province in Agricultural production let alone Maize production. The interpretation then to this story is that some maize in Eastern province is being sold to private buyers and not FRA, and already being sold to Malawi and Mozambique due to proximity. The people there really grow food, not sure though why a man coming from that area is failing to lead.
Those who are doubting that Northern can surpass certain provinces in maize production should look at the history of maize production in Zambia. Southern was the highest in the 70s,the slot was later taken by Central in 80s to 90s and soon it will be occupied by Northern + Muchinga. It does NOT mean that Southerners have become less hard working or less productive! No!Some of the biggest producers in other provinces like Costain Chilala are from Southern.The almost persitent pattern of unreliable rainfal in S.province with guarantee good rains in northern parts of Zambia coupled with improved road network,FISP,some gauaranteed market by FRA and possibly some ready export markets in future will certainly put some provinces in better positions agriculture.
I like such objectivity in analysing issues before posting comments. Congrats! I wish we could have more of such bloggers!
It is not about who leads in maize production but paying a farmer upon delivery of the crop to give him ample time to start preparing for next season. A farmer from E/P can take his maize to N/P and hav it sold from thre.
Some people from a known Province just talk too much with no results when others are action oriented with results and this makes the difference. Viva Northern circuit power, Eastern Province and Kopala!
More money in our mothers and fathers pockets indeed and you are the majority, come 2016. Viva President Lungu viva PF pabwatoooooooo………..
Shu Shu Shu while others are counting on the past glory the Northerners are busy developing, well done folks.No one has stopped any one from selling to FRA.
Southern province is no longer a Maize belt because of the shift in rain pattern do not blame FRA, Sir.
Cheers PF we are behind you we guys from the Western world.