Delay in announcing maize floor price cheers ZCF

ZCF Executive Director James Chirwa

The Zambia Cooperatives Federation (ZCF) has hailed the move by government to delay the announcement of the maize floor price in order to accord farmers the chance to bargain for the best price for their produce.

ZCF Executive Director James Chirwa says this is how it should be in a liberal economy like Zambia.

Mr Chirwa explains that government’s maize floor price is not the best price farmers can sale their maize, but is merely the price at which the Food Reserve Agency will buy the maize.

Mr. Chirwa states that there instances when the private sector offers more than the government floor, hence the decision by government to delay in setting the maize floor price is a chance for farmers to decide who they want to sale their maize to and at what price.

He adds that the decision by government to delay in setting the maize floor price will not affect the farmers in anyway.

Mr Chirwa has further commended government for encouraging farmers to join cooperatives considering the benefits farmers derive from such groupings.

Mr. Chirwa states that cooperatives help farmers survive and thrive and helps them take control in crop marketing.