Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has so far earned over K133 million from the sale of over 88,458.41 metric tons of maize from the maize sales program for the 2014 and 2015 marketing season.
FRA Public Relations Officer Daniel M’soka in a statement says the Agency has approved 71 applications for maize purchase since the exercise began last year in November for both local and export sales.
Mr M’soka says among them 30 applications were for maize exports and the Agency earned over K39 million which translates into 25,962.75 metric tons.
He names the countries that bought the maize from FRA as Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr M’soka says the rest or 41 successful applications to FRA for maize purchase came from Local millers, grain traders, rural communities and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).
He says the Agency earned over K94 million from the 62,495.63 metric tons of maize sold.
At the close of the 2014 Marketing season in October last year the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock authorized FRA to sell 650,000 metric tons of excess stock.
The objective is to help stabilize mealie meal prices in urban areas and also help mitigate food insecurity in rural areas.
Once all the 650,000 metric tons on offer is sold FRA will earn over K988 million.