FRA Told To Revise Maize Price Of K110

Sub-chief Munyambala of the Kaonde-speaking people in Mufumbwe district has expressed concerns over the base price the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has set for maize, at K110 per 50kg bag.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS on Monday, Sub-chief Munyambala said the low price was hardly reflective of the cost of production to farmers. 

He appealed to the government to increase the price to at least K130 per 50kg bag.

The sub-chief’s concerns echo those of the Centre For Trade Policy and Development, which last week warned that the low prices would damage farmers’ livelihoods and undermine efforts to improve rural income and reduce poverty. 

During the interview, Sub-chief Munyambala explained that an increased price would allow farmers to receive reasonable benefits from their efforts and would work towards reducing rural poverty, household by household. 

The traditional leader then expanded on the government’s pledge to improve access roads in his chiefdom, urging ministers to follow through on their development promises.

He said improved road networks would, in turn, grant farmers easier access to private maize buyers, improving the market by giving farmers a choice of buyer beyond the FRA and allowing farmers to become more commercialised. 

In addition to the K110 price per bag of maize, the FRA has also set baseline prices for soya beans (at K150 per 50kg bag)  and rice (at K70 per 40kg bag).