FRA satellite depot in Livingstone opens 26 days late

Livingstone Cooperatives Union (LCU) has revealed that […]

Livingstone Cooperatives Union (LCU) has revealed that the Kasiya satellite depot in Livingstone only commenced maize purchases on August 24, 2026, 26 days after the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) announced the opening of 1,749 satellite depots on July 29, 2026.

Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, LCU Chairperson, Rwinick Mapanza said the delay was linked to the need to put key logistics in place, including a platform for stacking maize, grain bags, weighing scales, sieves, storage arrangements and a depot sales coordinating committee, before purchases could begin.

Meanwhile, FRA on August 20, 2026 announced that it had purchased 680,914 metric tonnes of Grade A white maize, surpassing its initial target of 500,000 metric tonnes for the season since its satellite depots opened on July 29, 2026.

FRA Board Chairperson Suresh Desai explained that the strategic reserve now holds more than 2 million metric tonnes, comprising approximately 1.4 million metric tonnes carried over from the previous season, while the maize buying window runs from May 1 to October 31, 2026.

However, Mapanza said the late opening of Kasiya should not prevent farmers from accessing the FRA market, as the Agency was still buying maize and could potentially exceed its initial target.

“The intention was to buy 500,000 metric tonnes, but it’s most likely they will go beyond that to make sure that farmers are able to sell,” he said.

Mapanza added that the opening of a satellite depot requires several preparations, including farmer registration, inspection equipment, grain bags and the establishment of a coordinating committee to organise deliveries and prevent confusion among farmers.

“Farmers who were yet to sell could still benefit from the programme because some were waiting for their maize to attain acceptable moisture levels, while the buying window remains open until October 31, 2026,” he said.

Mapanza further told ZBT that LCU is hopeful that the continued maize purchases would give farmers sufficient time to sell their produce.

By Philip Sinkala