National Association for Smallholder Farmers (NASFA) Executive Director Professor Frank Kayula says the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is offering the most competitive maize price on the market.
Speaking on Diamond TV on Monday, Prof Kayula said FRA is currently buying maize at K6.70 per kilogram, well above the K4 per kilogram offered by informal “briefcase” buyers. He noted that some farmers who committed to selling to FRA are now complaining, but they have no better alternative as private buyers are offering significantly less.
Prof Kayula urged farmers to take advantage of FRA’s price to secure better returns for their produce. He stressed that selling to informal buyers at lower rates undermines farmers’ incomes and the agricultural sector’s stability.
He also said Zambia should not hesitate to export its excess maize, highlighting that Zambian maize is in high demand internationally due to its quality.
“Many countries are willing to buy our maize,” Kayula said. “We should leverage this demand, provided we keep enough stock to meet local needs.”
The FRA’s competitive pricing and the potential for export earnings, he added, could provide a financial boost to farmers and the broader economy if managed effectively.