By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
COMMERCIAL farmers contracted under the Early Maize Programme have delivered 121,614 by 50 kilogramme bags of white maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
Under this special programme, 55 commercial farmers were contracted to grow maize as a response to the drought situation the country is facing, among other interventions.
The contracted farmers have continued delivering maize to FRA. President Hakainde Hichilema on March 18, 2024 launched this programme in Mkushi District. Giving an update on the programme, FRA Public Relations Coordinator, John Chipandwe, said 6,080.73 metric tonnes of non-genetically modified Grade A white maize had been delivered by the farmers to FRA.
“The Agency targets to purchase a total of One Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand Metric Tonnes under the Early Maize Programme and as at 19th April, 2024, 6,080.73 metric tonnes of maize was delivered. “The balance is expected to be delivered by end of June this year,” Mr Chipandwe said in a statement issued yesterday.
He said the agency was optimistic that this intervention would have a positive impact on efforts aimed at replenishing national strategic food reserves for sustained national food security.
The programme, initiated Government through the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and FRA as a recipient, was aimed at supplementing other efforts aimed at replenishing national strategic food reserves to ensure sustained national food security.
“The initiative operates under a contract-farming model, providing farmers with assured prices and quality standards along with incentives such as cost-reflective pricing. This initiative seeks to stabilise local maize supply, prices and enhance food security,” Mr Chipandwe said.
