FRA Pays Out K3 Billion to Maize Suppliers
Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has disclosed that it has paid out over K3 billion to farmers who supplied non-genetically modified Grade A white maize during the 2024 crop marketing season.
FRA Public Relations Coordinator, John Chipandwe revealed that the Agency has so far purchased 588,354 metric tonnes of maize from the local market, which is equivalent to more than 11 million by 50 Kg bags.
Mr. Chipandwe explained that the total cost of the maize that has been purchased is K4.1 billion and as at 9th October, 2024, the Agency had paid out over K3 billion to farmers, representing a 73% achievement rate.
“FRA has purchased 588,354 Metric tonnes of non-genetically modified Grade A white maize from the local market during this year’s crop marketing season. The purchased quantity is equivalent to 11,767,093 x 50 Kg bags of white maize.”
“The cost of the purchased maize is K4,186,708,686 and as at 9th October, 2024, a total of K3,072, 475,846.80 was paid out to maize suppliers representing a 73% achievement rate,” Mr. Chipandwe disclosed.
He added that payments are currently on-going based on the principle of first-come-first served basis and assured that all farmers will soon be cleared.
Mr. Chipandwe emphasized that the crop marketing season is still in progress, therefore farmers should continue to deliver maize to any depot and play their role in making Zambia food secure.
“In the meantime, the Agency wishes to thank farmers that sold their maize to Government through its FRA depots countrywide as their decision is impacting positively on efforts aimed at replenishing National Strategic Food Reserves.”
“Eventually, their decision will result in sustained National Food Security and the Agency uses such stock in future to mitigate risks of food insecurity during droughts or floods among others,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chipandwe said FRA has been implementing various strategic methods of buying maize from the local market beyond the traditional mode of buying using satellite depots, as a way of responding adequately to the drought situation in the country.
“These include among others buying through main depots countrywide; buying from grain traders and engaging commercial farmers under the Early Maize Programme.”
“As a result, the Agency has been able to buy the above stated quantity of maize that has been added to the old stock in the National Food Reserves for sustained National Food Security,” Mr. Chipandwe added.
Recently, Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo told Parliament that Government owes K1.5 billion to farmers who supplied maize to the FRA.
