Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
FRA Board Chairperson, Joe Simachela
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has increased its maize purchasing price from K65 per 50 kg bag to K70.
This follows President Edgar Lungu’s directive for the agency to revise the price.
In a statement, FRA Board Chairman, Joe Simachela has reiterated the agency’s commitment to its mandate to purchase and administer the National Strategic Food Reserve through the efficient provision of market access to the rural based Small Scale Farmers who are the primary stakeholders of the programme.
Mr. Simachela says it is for this reason that the FRA in setting the designated crop prices has always adhered to the principle of holistic consultation of the key stakeholders in the agricultural sector in the crop marketing chain from production to consumption.
He says the Agency will purchase Maize within the confines of the 2018 National Budgetary allocation to FRA and will strive to mitigate all possible negative risks that could fuel consumer dissatisfaction on the price of the final product, mealie meal.
Mr Simachela says the FRA has maintained the price for soya beans at K130 and will also buy a 40 kg bag of paddy rice at K70.
He has further clarified that the prices are FRA prices and not Government floor prices, hence farmers are encouraged to negotiate for better prices with other market players who may buy the larger quantity of the what has been produced.
Mr. Simachela has reminded the farmers in the FRA targeted areas to continue to prepare as guided in the 2018 Crop Marketing Modalities.
He adds that the FRA will enter the market on 1st August 2018.