It is not too late to meet 500, 000 FRA target – Mapani

UPND Chairperson for rural development Moono Mapani says it is not too late for the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to meet the maize purchase target of 500, 000 tons.

Mr Mapani is advising government to consider enticing farmers that are unwilling to sell maize to the FRA with a much higher price.

Mr. Mapani thinks an offer of K100 per 50kg bag of maize is a reasonable price any farmer will be willing to accept.

In an interview with QTV News, Mr. Mapani says it is better for the government to spend now on ensuring food security than waiting until the Country is hit by a crisis.

He states that the forecast of a possible recurrence of El Niño is warning enough to assume that the Country may not have good rainfall during the 2018/2019 farming season.