By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
AGRICULTURE and Livestock Minister Given Lubinda has assured farmers that all the maize that was procured on Monday will be adjusted to K75.
On Tuesday, President Edgar Lungu adjusted the price of maize from K70 to K75 effective Monday.
Mr Lubinda said in an interview in Kasama yesterday that all the 65,000 tonnes which were procured by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) would be adjusted according to the new price.
The FRA commenced the purchase of maize on Monday this week.
“The farmers must be extremely happy with their President for increasing the price of maize from K70 to K75 effective Monday this week,” Mr Lubinda said.
He said the President had since directed the Treasury to find additional resources to meet the deficit.
“Farmers must not worry because the FRA will adjust the price of maize to K75,” he said.
Mr Lubinda said on Tuesday the FRA had procured about 65,000 tonnes of maize.
The Government intends to buy 500,000 tonnes of maize for the national food reserves.