FRA issues tripartite contracts for early maize

By BENNIE MUNDANDOTHE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has started issuing tripartite contracts for early maize, the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) has said.Zambia has produced over 135, 000 metric tonnes of early maize whose harvest has already started with Lilayi Farm in Lusaka producing 115 tonnes of the commodity. Its harvest was flagged off last week by Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo.The ZNFU indicated that the FRA had started issuing out contracts for the early maize crop and that over 27, 000 tonnes have been set aside for the month of April and that participating farmers will be contacted.“The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has started issuing tripartite contracts for early maize. Participating farmers will be contacted by the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) when copies of the contract are availed for signing; then the millers will sign, followed by the FRA, then deliveries would start.“Please note that so far, the FRA has allocated contracts for 27, 754mts of early maize for the month of April. Further allocations are expected based on the demand by millers,” read the ZNFU brief in part.Meanwhile, the ZNFU has suspended all its union meetings with members in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.In a statement to the ZNFU council members, ZNFU executive director Ellah Chembe announced the suspension of all meetings and also urged District Farmers Associations to consider suspending executive committee and other meetings.“The situation will be reviewed periodically in line with country developments as announced by the Ministry of Health and we shall communicate on all other meetings such as the council meeting or annual general meetings at an appropriate time,” Ms. Chembe said.She said ZNFU was closely monitoring developments surrounding Covid-19 and shall keep members abreast with developments as they occur.