THE Food Reserve Agency has increased the maize buying price by K7 to K347 per 50-kilogram bag for the 2026 Crop Marketing Season, and assured farmers that payments will be made within three days of delivery. FRA Board Chairperson Suresh Desai said the Agency will only buy maize with moisture content of 12.5 percent or

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THE Food Reserve Agency has increased the maize buying price by K7 to K347 per 50-kilogram bag for the 2026 Crop Marketing Season, and assured farmers that payments will be made within three days of delivery.

FRA Board Chairperson Suresh Desai said the Agency will only buy maize with moisture content of 12.5 percent or below to protect consumer and livestock health. “The price for maize is K347 per 50-kilogram bag, while rice will be bought at K300 per 40-kilogram bag,” Mr Desai said. “We are not compromising on the moisture content.” He said FRA will use a digital payment system to ensure farmers are paid within three days. Mr Desai dismissed reports that the Agency lacks funds to buy maize, describing the claims as false. “There has been a lot of careless talk by ill-intentioned individuals claiming that the Agency is bankrupt and will not enter the market this year. I want to assure farmers that there is no need for such fears,” he said. The FRA chairperson said the Agency currently has 1.4 million tonnes of maize in stock and sufficient liquidity to finance this year’s purchases. “The Food Reserve Agency is ready, prepared and fully geared to buy maize and make prompt payments. It is not bankrupt, nor has it been looted, as some individuals have claimed on social media,” he said. Mr Desai said Zambia is expected to remain one of the few Southern African countries that will not need to import maize despite anticipated El Niño conditions. He said this will help strengthen national food security and keep prices of essential commodities, including mealie meal, affordable. He urged the private sector to participate in crop marketing by offering competitive prices and expanding local and export opportunities for farmers. Mr Desai further disclosed that FRA has established 1,749 buying points across the country for the 2026 season. He attributed the delay in opening the buying season to high moisture content, but said the situation has improved. “The moisture content issue that delayed the opening of the market is now much more manageable, as most of the maize has reached the required levels,” he said. Advertisement Advertise here Reach readers inside premium article pages.

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