Lubinda explains delay in announcing maize floor price

Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda

Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda says the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will only enter the maize market once the moisture content for maize has reached 12.5%.

Mr Lubinda has however told Parliament that the FRA will enter the market to purchase 500,000 metric tonnes of maize in areas where there is minimal private sector participation.

He says money to purchase the 500,000 metric tonnes of maize has since been allocated, and that the FRA is currently watching the market.

Mr Lubinda has since encouraged farmers not to wait for the FRA to enter the market for them to sell their maize, but take advantage of the absence of the FRA on the maize market to negotiate better prices with private sector buyers.

He states that the private sector is currently active in the market offering farmers good prices in areas such as Chongwe, Kabwe and Mkushi.

Mr Lubinda adds that private sector players have realized that government will allow them to trade in agriculture commodities.