Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) President Jervis Zimba says farmers will be unable to pay back loans they acquired during the last farming season for maize production with the K60 maize price announced by the Food Reserve Agency.
Mr Zimba has described the FRA as unscrupulous and not different from briefcase buyers.
He says the K60 being offered by the Food Reserve Agency is not sufficient and will only increase poverty levels in the country.
Mr Zimba says the effect of the low price announced by FRA will be felt in 2019 as farmers will opt not to engage in maize production.
He adds that the maize price announced by FRA will not only affect farmers, but also Agro Dealers and Commercial Banks who assisted the farmers with resources to engage in maize production last year.