The government will make sure that farmers are given a good price for their maize

President Hakainde Hichilema today assured farmers that the Government will secure a good price for their maize in the 2025 crop-marketing season.

Speaking after attending a church service at the Times of Refreshing Ministry International in Choma District, the President urged growers to retain enough maize for their own consumption to remain food-secure, even in the event of drought, and encouraged them to adopt irrigation so that farming can continue year-round.

“What Chief Macha said, this government agrees. Farmers must grow, and we thank them for that, but they must. first fill their maize barns for domestic consumption and household fuel security, and then they can sell the rest, so if there is a drought one year, they will still have enough maize until they produce the next year,” said Hichilema.

The President made clear that the Government will ensure farmers benefit fully from their hard work and said social protection initiatives such as Cash for Work and the Social Cash Transfer will remain available for vulnerable citizens.

The President also reiterated the Government’s commitment to working with traditional leaders and the Church, noting that their collaboration has ensured no one died of hunger during the 2023-2024 drought.

Chief Macha also appealed for the release of the price at which the Food Reserve Agency will buy maize so that farmers avoid selling their grain cheaply to private buyers.