By NOEL IYOMBWA
THE Food Reserve Agency has bought 875, 098 metric tonness of maize this year.
FRA board chairperson Kelvin Hambwezya told journalists in Lusaka that the Agency has paid K1.2 billion to farmers across the country and owes farmers K1.4 billion.
Mr Hambwezya said the FRA has also distributed 17.5 million empty grain bags adding that contrary to some media reports that the Agency had run out of empty grain bags, the agency has not at any point run out of bags.
He said that instead, what used to happen was that farmers were trying to sell maize at the same time without giving chance to each other.
Mr Hambwezya said the highest purchases recorded was in Northern Province with 40, 117 metric tons while the highest purchasing district is Petauke.
He disclosed that the FRA is overwhelmed with farmers still insisting on selling to the agency because it has the best price so far on the market at K 150 per bag.
He also disclosed that the FRA has assize scales which give the farmers value for money.
And Mr Hambwezya explained that 450, 000 metric tons is yet to be offloaded and that inquiries have been made with Grain Traders Association of Zambia, Millers Association of Zambia and other possible off loaders.
“A few countries have also expressed interest in purchasing our maize. In the next few days an advert will be running for all interested to participate, both local and foreign firms, “he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Hambwezya also said that the Agency had run out of storage space for maize and it has rented from private sectors.
He said that the situation is now back to normal and that maize was safe across all maize depots.
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