Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Jervis Zimba
The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) finds the K65 per 50kg Market price offered by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) absurd and horrendously low.
And the union says it did not meet the FRA to discuss maize prices after last years’ efforts yielded a blank because FRA told the Union it was Government that set the K60/50KG with no consultation and Government insisted it was FRA.
ZNFU President Jarvis Zimba has urged government to maintain consistency in the export of agriculture commodities as the food balance sheet figures declared that a surplus of 341, 313 metric tonnes could potentially be exported.
Mr. Zimba says this will motivate private sector participation in maize marketing when Government restates that Zambia is open for maize exports.
He says now that the FRA has announced its price for maize, farmers should target to sell their maize at a profit.
He adds that the Union has produced production costs to guide farmers as they sell their crops.
Mr. Zimba also finds the statement that the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) was consulted at a stakeholders’ meeting to arrive at the K65 for a 50kg bag of maize by the FRA disingenuous as the ZNFU did not attend such a meeting.
He states that a formal complaint will be launched with Government because the Union stands ready to dialogue with Government if called upon to do so but not engaging in spin media tactics.