FRA PROCURES ABOUT 120,000 METRIC TONNES OF MAIZE SINCE COMMENCEMENT OF RELIEF MAIZE BUYING
Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo has disclosed that in response to President Hakainde Hichilema’s declaration of a national disaster due to drought, government through the food reserve agency -FRA- has procured approximately 120,000 metric tonnes of maize since the commencement of the relief maize purchases last month.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr Mtolo reiterated that the FRA will continue to buy maize at k330 per 50-kilogram bag or k6, 600.00 per metric tonne, and urged the public to take advantage of this opportunity by selling the commodity at various FRA depots across the country.
Mr Mtolo says these measures will contribute to alleviating the immediate impacts of the drought crisis on food availability and affordability while supporting long-term agricultural sustainability and resilience in the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Mtolo has urged all winter maize farmers in the country to take advantage of off-peak-hour power imports for overnight irrigation to prevent crop losses due to load-shedding.
PN