By CHATULA KANGALI –
MPONGWE Milling has started buying maize directly from farmers at K100 per 50 kilogramme (Kg) bag, K15 more than the price at which the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is this year purchasing the produce.
This follows the signing of a contract between the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and Mpongwe Milling for the purchase of more than 30,000 tonnes of maize at a higher price during this year’s marketing season.
The contract, which was signed last week, enables farmers to sell their maize directly  to Mpongwe Milling at K100 per bag.
Mpongwe Milling managing director Andrew Chintala confirmed this in an interview with the Times of Zambia.
Currently, the Government, through the FRA, is buying maize at K85 per 50kg bag.
Mr Chintala said the company signed the contract with ZNFU in order to buy more than 30,000 tonnes of maize at the agreed price.
Under the contract, Mpongwe Millling will buy more than 30,000 tonnes of maize from farmers around the country and provide empty bags as well as transport.
Mr Chintala, who is the Millers Association of Zambia president, said the company took the measure to secure the raw material for future production.
“We are buying maize from all farmers around the country. We want to secure our own raw material and reduce dependence on the Food Reserve Agency,” he said.
Mr Chintala expressed concern at the rate at which grain traders were buying maize from the local farmers with intent to export it.
He urged other millers to start buying the maize and secure it to prevent future mealie-meal shortages in the country.
ZNFU Copperbelt regional manager Michael Zulu said in an  interview that farmers were  happy with the price and the quantity that Mpongwe Milling had offered to buy.
“The price is very attractive, at least it will help the farmers get more profits after  incurring high cost of production in the last farming season,” Mr Zulu said.