FRA MEETS TARGET
By Sharon Kunda:
The Food Reserve Agency -FRA- has met its target for the purchase of Grade ‘A’ white Maize for this year’s crop marketing season.
FRA Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe says the Agency has purchased over 5-hundred and 34 thousand metric tonnes of Grade ‘A’ white maize during this year’s on-going crop marketing season.
Mr. Chipandwe says this is equivalent to about 10-million by 50 kilogram bags of white maize.
He says the value of the Maize bought so far is worth approximately one point six billion Kwacha.
Mr. Chipandwe further says out of this amount, one point two billion kwacha has already been paid out to small scale farmers that delivered their maize to FRA depots while some farmers are still getting paid.
He says the purchased quantity of maize is against this year’s Agency maize purchase target of five hundred thousand metric tonnes.
Mr. Chipandwe says this implies a percentage achievement rate of 1 hundred and 6 point 87 percent as at Thursday August, 26 2021.
He has assured farmers that even though the target has been met, the Agency will continue buying maize until October 31, 2021.
Mr. Chipandwe has dispelled rumors indicating that the Agency has stopped buying maize since it has reached its purchase target.
He has encouraged Farmers to continue delivering their maize and the crop from their homesteads before going to a satellite depot.
Mr. Chipandwe says this will prevent congestion and reduce on the time farmers spend at a depot as the Agency will just screen, weigh and package the maize.
This is contained in a statement released to ZNBC news in Lusaka today by FRA Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe.