By JAMES KUNDA –

THE Government is now targeting to mop up an additional 500,000 tonnes of maize after attaining the initial projection of the same quantity as it scouts for additional funds.
In the wake of the bumper harvest the country recorded, the Government is now targeting to procure at least one million tonnes of maize from farmers, through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to avoid post-harvest losses and increase grain storage.
Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Greyford Monde said in an interview that the FRA has procured 500,000 tonnes of maize since the crop marketing season started in July, spending in excess of K500 million.
“Negotiations to access more funds from the Ministry of Finance for additional maize purchases have commenced and the aim is to mop up as much grain as possible from the farmers in light of the bumper harvest,” Mr Monde said.
Regarding the payment of farmer’s supplying maize to the agency, Mr Monde said the process has been prompt as the Government aims to pay grain suppliers within a week after delivery.
In a related development, Vice-President Gut Scott said the FRA will continue buying maize even after surpassing the target to ensure that no grain is wasted.
Dr Scott said a quarter of the farmers who sold maize to FRA have since been paid and that Government will ensure the next group is paid before the start of the next farming season.
ZANIS reports that Dr Scott said this in Vubwi on Tuesday after addressing a public meeting at Vumbi school grounds where he had gone to drum up support for the Patriotic Front candidate Margaret Miti in the forth-coming Vubwi parliamentary by elections.