FRA Executive Director Justine Chuunka said the committees, comprising village headmen and community representatives, schedule the number of farmers to be attended to at each depot. This prevents large crowds converging at once and makes crop marketing more orderly.
Mr Chuunka said although implementation levels varied, the committees were an important step towards improving crop marketing with communities.
He said that the approach was particularly useful in rural areas where local representatives understood farmers’ needs.
At Misenga Satellite Depot in Kalulushi, farmer Costa Musunga said the system had eased the process.
“I delivered my maize and was attended to within a day before receiving payment through my mobile phone three days later,” he said.
Another farmer, Jennifer Chalwe, said she was paid after three days for 25 bags.
Mr Chuunka said FRA would continue working with communities and provincial administrations to strengthen the committees and improve agricultural marketing efficiency.
