FRA may not meet 500,000 metric tonnes maize target-Katambo

Minister of Agriculture, Michael Katambo says the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) may not meet its maize purchasing target of 500,000 metric tons of maize for strategic reserves.

Mr. Katambo was responding to a question from UPND Kalomo Central Member of Parliament Harry Kamboni in Parliamemt, who wanted to know how many metric tons of maize the Food Reserve Agency has purchased as of 10^th October, 2018.

Mr. Katambo says as at 11th October, 2018 FRA has procured 166,251 more metric tons of maize.

He says this represents 33.4 percent of the targeted amount of 500,000 metric tons.

Mr. Katambo says the FRA has 479,727 metric tons of maize in the national strategic food reserves which comprise this year’s purchases and carryover stocks.

He states that in view of the decline in the production of Maize during the past agricultural season, government has decided to restrict the export of Maize grain and Mealie-meal.

Mr. Katambo says this decision has been taken in order to safeguard the country’s food security.

He says security personnel have since been deployed in border areas to curb possible smuggling and illegal exportation of Maize grain and Mealie-meal.

Mr. Katambo adds that government will not issue any export permits for both Maize grain and Mealie-meal until further notice.