CSPR opposes Maize floor price

CSPR Civic Participation and Advocacy Programme Officer Maxson Nkhoma

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has called government to consider increasing the K75.00 maize floor announced by Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda.

CSPR Information Officer Maxson Nkhoma says this is considering that farmers spent more on production and therefore it will not be beneficial to them in anyway if the price is maintained at K75..

He adds that government should also take into consideration the fact that the price of farming inputs for 2015/2016 farming season went up by over 130%.

Mr. Nkhoma explains that a bag of fertilizer in 2014 was trading at K185.00 and went up to between K450 and K500 in some places.

He states that this clearly shows that maintaining the maize floor price at K75 will work to the disadvantage of the farmers.