LUSAKA - The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has purchased 680,914 metric tonnes of Grade A white maize and 11.56 metric tonnes of paddy rice from farmers since the opening of satellite depots on July 29, 2026.
FRA Board Chairperson Suresh Desai said K3.4 billion has so far been paid to farmers for the maize supplied, with payments continuing.
Mr. Desai said carry-over maize stocks from the 2024/2025 season stood at more than 1.4 million metric tonnes, bringing the current national stock position to more than 2 million metric tonnes after the addition of the newly purchased maize.
He said that, given the gazetted crop marketing period running from May 1 to October 31, the agency will remain on the market to provide farmers with access to markets for their produce.
Mr. Desai further explained that during the 2026 crop marketing season, the FRA introduced digital payments through mobile money and bank accounts, which he said had worked effectively and enabled the agency to make prompt payments to farmers.
He added that, in an effort to enhance service delivery at FRA satellite depots, the agency had established satellite depot committees to manage and coordinate activities at each depot, including farmer payments.
Source: Phoenix News | By: Patricia Mbewe