FRA buys 22,350 x 50 bags of white maize in Chadiza
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FRA buys 22,350 x 50 bags of white maize in Chadiza
By Daniel Bili in Chadiza, Eastern Province reporting for ZANIS
The Food Reservce Agency has bought 22,350 by 50 Kg bags of white maize in Chadiza District of the Eastern Province since the opening of the 2021 marketing season.
ZANIS reports that K1.5 million has been paid to farmers that sold their commodity to the Food Reserve Agency.
Chadiza District Commissioner George Phiri confirmed the purchase of maize in various FRA depots to ZANIS on Friday 30th July, 2021.
Mr. Phiri appealed to the rest of farmers to bring and sell more maize to FRA, noting that the maize that the agency buys is also used to bring in foreign exchange once it is exported.
“The situation we have in the district is that as at yesterday 22,350 maize has been bought from our hard working farmers and yesterday K1.5 million was paid and I want to make an appeal to the farmers out there that please can we bring as many maize as possible because this maize will help in bringing foreign exchange when we export it and also during times of hunger the same maize is brought back as mealie meal, maize brand or relief maize to the community,” said Phiri.
The District Commissioner pointed out that there will be no change of government as some people were insinuating and were not selling their maize for fear that there will be change of government.
“Let’s not waste time; this is not time to politicise things such as agriculture. Let us work towards ensuring that farmers receive their money and put it to good use,” advised Phiri.
Phiri explained that by Sunday 1st August 2021, 14,710 farmers under the Famer Input Support Programme (FISP) that had paid a K400 contribution will begin to receive inputs
And a farmer Lazarus Banda commended government for paying farmers in time adding that this will give them good time to prepare and plan for the coming farming season.
“We are thankful to government for paying us in good time. Previously government used to delay in paying us and most of us resorted to selling our produce to brief case buyers. But now the way things are happening more people are willing to sale their produce to the FRA,” said Mr. Banda.
The Food Reserve Agency is expected to buy 120,000 by 50 kg bags of white maize in Chadiza district by Saturday 30th October 2021.
Ends…
DB/ZANIS/Chadiza
