FRA procures 20 million empty grain bags

By NATION REPORTER 

THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has purchased a total of 20 million empty grain bags to empty grain bag shortages in FRA satellite depots countrywide addressed.

FRA public Relation Coordinator, John Chipandwe said the agency procured the empty grain bags for the packaging of grade A white maize during the on-going crop marketing season. 

Mr Chipandwe said the 20 million empty grain bags were sufficient to purchase 1 million metric tonnes of maize.

He said the agency acknowledges that there were slight challenges in the delivery of empty grain bags to some depots due to the fact that some depots were recording higher purchases compared to the anticipated purchases taking into account the anticipated production and this resulted in the agency relocating some empty grain bags to such areas.

Mr Chipandwe also said, the slight delays in the procurement of the bags were due to technical processes that were conducted before the manufactured bags were delivered to the agency for onward transportation to needy depots.     

He stated that the situation has now normalized and farmers countrywide were encouraged to continue delivering their white maize to the nearest FRA depots as they shall not be turned away since measures to receive their maize have been put in place. 

“This is coupled with expedited payment methods to serve them better and ensure they prepare adequately for the forthcoming agriculture season and other needs at household level,” he said.

Mr Chipandwe further said satellite Depot Clerks in charge of FRA depots countrywide were encouraged to continue alerting the Agency headquarters when new challenges arise so that immediate action was taken.  

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