FRA Targets 1.3 Million Tonnes of Maize

19 May 2011

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will buy at least 1.3 million tonnes of maize during this year’s marketing period.

The agency will also purchase at least 5,000 tonnes of paddy rice following the declaration of the crop as a designated agricultural commodity for the 2011 marketing season.

FRA executive director Lovejoy Malambo said in a notice yesterday that this year’s crop marketing exercise started on May 1 and would go on up to October 31, this year subject to the market dynamics.

Zambia has in 2010/2011 farming season produced more than three million tonnes of maize which is eight per cent increment from the 2.8 million tonnes produced the previous season.

Professor Malambo said the agency would set up at least 1,110 satellite depots in 74 districts.

Farmers would be delivering the crop to the designated depots.

Recently, spokesperson Mwamba Siame said FRA intends to construct additional storage space in form of hard standings (slabs) and rehabilitate some unused storage sheds as an immediate solution to the 2011 season storage requirement.

The medium to long term solution will include the rehabilitation of five silos in Ndola, Kabwe, Chisamba, Monze and Kitwe as well as constructing new ones depending on the results from the feasibility studies that will be conducted.

The new storage facilities will be located in areas of increasing production and those with traditionally high production levels.

The K557 billion worth construction investment plan will be executed within five years and will depend mainly on the availability of funds.

FRA has about 1.3 million tonnes space located around the country.

Of this, about 1.1 million tonnes is serviceable while the remaining 200,000 tonnes is on commercial lease.

The agency has started recalling some storage facilities on lease to meet the short fall.

Meanwhile, Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) executive director Harrison Banda said the association will issue a comprehensive statement tomorrow on the crop survey results.

Commenting on the bumper harvest, Chief Macha of the Tonga people in Southern Province said improved agriculture service delivery has contributed to the attainment of the feat in the 2010/2011 farming season.

Chief Macha said it was a clear indication that improved service delivery was an important tool towards development of any sector.

He said in an interview in Choma, farmers across the country should remain productive.

The chief noted that there was need for concerted efforts from the Government and the private sector in improving the agriculture sector.

“Firstly I would like to commend Government for its good policies especially in the agriculture sector, this has in no doubt increased productivity amongst farmers,” Chief Macha said.

AllAfrica – All the Time