GOVT RELEASES K22M FOR MUCHINGA MAIZE PURCHASES

By PETER SICHALI                                           GOVERNMENT through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has released over K22 million to Muchinga Province to buy maize from farmers, Permanent Secretary Davison Mulenga has said. Captain Mulenga said the FRA has so far paid out K1.2 million for 9, 339 by 50 kilogramme bags of maize so far. He said the FRA had targeted to buy 1, 320, 000 by 50 kilogrammes bags of white maize. “As a province we have received K22, 228, 350 for white maize purchases and so far only K1, 217, 400 has been paid to farmers,” he said. Capt Mulenga said the slow pace at which the purchases was going was because of the high moisture content in the grain in many parts of the province. “There have been some delays in receiving crops and opening some satellite depots because of the high moisture content. Currently, it is about 18 percent in most areas against the approved standard of 12 percent. “Some satellite depots are yet to be opened due to high moisture content but this should not force farmers to start selling their maize to briefcase buyers because Government is committed to ensuring that they buy maize from the farmers,” Capt Mulenga said.