FRA’S 500,000MT Maise Target Too Low, Will Strand Farmers — LUPOSHI CSO

By Florence Kasumbalesa

Go Back to the Land Zambia Executive Director Cyprian Chimwendo Phiri says the Food Reserve Agency’s (FRA) announcement of a maize buying price of K347 per 50-kilogramme bag has brought relief to farmers who had become concerned over the delay in announcing the price.

Mr Phiri, however, says the FRA’s target to purchase 500,000 metric tonnes of maize may leave the majority of farmers stranded, considering the country recorded an estimated 5.1 million metric tonnes of maize production during the 2025/2026 farming season, which has been described as the highest harvest in the country’s history.

He has since called on Government to establish a predictable and reliable market where farmers can sell their produce, saying this will help transform the agricultural sector and improve the welfare of farmers.