MAIZE STOCK SAFE – FRA
By SILUMESI MALUMO
THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has clarified that that no maize was soaked in its various depots in rural parts of Petauke District and all stock is safe.
Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe said the agency wishes to state that all farmers that were at various depots in Petauke were cleared by October 31, 2021.
He told the Daily Nation yesterday that most of the maize bought from farmers has since been moved to main holding depots.
“Therefore, no maize for farmers was soaked as alleged, all farmers were cleared last week and no farmer was waiting to be served by the agency in Kaumbwe as reported,” he said.
Mr Chipandwe said all depots in Kaumbwe were closed after the agency served all the farmers that had delivered their crops.
Last week in an interview, newly elected Patriotic Front (PF) KaumbweConstituency Member of Parliament Dr Aaron Mwanza disclosed that a number of bags of maize had been soaked while farmers were waiting for FRA to buy the commodity.
Dr Mwanza said reports had reached him where farmers are complaining about the predicament.
“I have been following up this matter and I have received reports that a number of bags have been soaked.
This situation could have been avoidable if something tangible was done,” he said.
