By SENIYA BANDA and DORICA SAKALA
THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) says it has procured about 146, 948 metric tonnes as of July 25, 2023 in the ongoing marketing season.
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FRA Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe says this is equivalent to 2, 938, 370 by 50 kilogram bags of white maize.
Mr. Chipandwe said the agency has paid out K595, 945, 280 to farmers that have so far delivered Grade ‘A’ white maize during the on-going crop-marketing season.
He has noted so far that the response from farmers is encouraging and that those that have not delivered the crop should do so.
Meanwhile the Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has wondered why export of maize to countries such as Kenya and Congo has continued despite the high cost of mealie meal in Zambia.
ZACA Executive Director Juba Sakala says the cost of living in Zambia has continued to increase as seen in the current mealie meal prices.
Mr. Sakala says there is need for Government to offload more maize on the market to help reduce the prices of Mealie meal.
He says Government should prioritise the local people before making decisions to export the commodity.
Mr Sakala says Government should also engage stakeholders to put in place deliberate measures that will help mitigate the cost of living.
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