By CHILA NAMAIKO –

THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has received an initial K60 million from Government for purchasing more than 40,000 tonnes of maize from farmers countrywide during this year’s marketing season.
The agency is buying a 50 kilogramme bag of maize at K70.
More than 10 banking institutions, among others, Finance Bank Zambia, Investrust, ZANACO and the Zambia Postal Services (ZAMPOST) have been engaged as pay-points.
FRA executive director Chola Kafwabulula said at a Press briefing in Choma yesterday that K60 million was disbursed to all regions in readiness for payments to farmers.
He said this marketing season, the agency had put more effective measures to ensure funds for purchasing maize were available before commencement of the exercise.
“As FRA, we have put more effective measures in the purchasing of maize from farmers and this K60 million is readily available waiting for farmers to sell their maize,” he said.
He said out of K60 million, about K7.7 million had been allocated to the entire Southern Province.
“During this marketing season, we want to be faster than previous seasons in buying maize and right now the money is ready waiting for farmers,” Mr Kafwabulula said.
He, however, said in some parts of the country the agency would have to wait for the maize moisture content to reach about 12.5 per cent before purchasing the commodity.
Mr Kafwabulula said various satellite depots countrywide had been equipped with sufficient empty bags and weighing facilities used for maize purchasing exercise.