FRA buys 900,000 meric tons of maize

Government says the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has as at 19th September bought about 900,000 metric tons of maize worth K1.2 million from farmers across the country.

Government had given FRA a target of 500,000 metric tons of maize purchases during the 2014 marketing season but has been forced to buy extra maize as result of the overwhelming response from farmers who still maize stocks to sale.

Agriculture and Livestock Minister Wylbur Simuusa has told Parliament this morning that farmers have so far been paid K231 million from the maize they have supplied to the FRA leaving a balance of over K700 million.

Mr Simuusa says his ministry if currently liaising with the Ministry of Finance to secure funding to pay farmers the remaining amount.

He has assured farmers in the country not to panic stating that they will be paid the money they are owed for the maize they have supplied.

And Mr Simuusa says a notice for the closure of the marketing season will be placed in the print media by next week on Monday.