Tue, 20 Dec 2016 13:12:27 +0000 By Bennie Mundando TRADITIONAL leaders have hailed President Edgar Lungu’s decision to liberalise the maize floor price, saying the move will make the Food Reserve Agency more competitive, thereby saving farmers from exploitation by briefcase businessmen. Chief Chikwanda of Mkushi and Chief Chikanta of Kalomo district expressed satisfaction at the move, saying competition in the maize buying sub-sector was good as it would enable farmers get value for their produce. Chief Chikwanda noted that being a liberalised economy, there was need for players in the sector to determine the prices of goods and services, saying the move was long overdue as the FRA was always paying farmers less than what private buyers offered. He said the farmers were always vulnerable to exploitation by briefcase buyers as they offered more for farmers’ produce than prices determined by Government, adding that with stiff competition FRA might offer better prices. “This move […]
