Farmers’ new market set up

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 10:07:43 +0000

By AARON CHIYANZO

FARMERS will start trading at the temporal structure for fruits and vegetables near Shoprite wholesale in Misisi compound, until the cholera epidemic is contained.

Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) committee chairperson for fruits and vegetables, Maria Zaloumis said that plans to put up a temporal structure for fruits and vegetables on a wholesale had advanced.

Ms Zaloumis said that a temporal shelter near Tokyo way and Shoprite wholesale area had been identified as a suitable place for trading.

She said the committee was working closely with the Lusaka City Council (LCC) and the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to ensure the place was fit for trading.

Ms Zaloumis said that paving of the area had already started to ensure that farmers were not inconvenienced once they start operating.

She pointed out that issues of hygiene had also been looked into, adding that toilets had been secured, and running water would also be put in place.

Ms Zaloumis however said that the market would only be opened once all the necessary sanitary requirements were looked into.

“A temporal shelter near Tokyo way and Shoprite wholesale area has been identified as a suitable place for trading. Paving of the area has already started and issues of hygiene have also been looked into,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Zaloumis said that there had been huge quantities of fresh produce going to waste due to lack of alternative markets where they could offload their commodities.

She called on farmers to exercise patience, and also thanked government for responding swiftly to the concerns raised by the agro farmers.