The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has announced […]

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has announced that it will this year buy non-GMO white maize at K6.94 per kilogram, translating to K347 per 50-kilogram bag, during the 2026 crop marketing season.

Speaking during a press briefing attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, FRA Board Chairperson, Suresh M. Desai said the agency will also buy paddy rice at K7.50 per kilogram, equivalent to K300 per 40-kilogram bag.

Desai said all FRA buying depots will officially open on July 29, 2026, with the agency targeting to purchase at least 500,000 metric tonnes of maize and 10,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice while remaining open to buying more depending on storage capacity and market conditions.

“All payments will be made digitally and farmers will receive their money within three days after successful delivery and verification of their produce,” he said.

Desai said FRA has completed preparations by identifying 1,749 satellite buying depots and recruiting 3,498 depot clerks together with 3,498 security guards across the country.

“Grain bags, weighing scales and other marketing materials have already been distributed to depots ahead of the commencement of the marketing season,” he said.

Meanwhile, Desai dismissed claims that FRA is bankrupt, assuring farmers that the agency has adequate financial resources to purchase this year’s grain.

He urged farmers to deliver clean maize with a moisture content of 12.5% or below, retain enough grain for household food security and ensure their bank or mobile money account details match their identification documents to avoid payment delays.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same event, National Association for Smallholder Farmers (NASFA) Executive Director, Dr. Frank Kayula described the announced buying price as highly competitive, noting that the highest maize price currently being offered on the open market is around K220 per 50-kilogram bag.

However, experts say cost of maize production was K6.56kg in 2025/2026 season, FRA announces K6.94 maize price per kg, will farmers make profit?

Article by Phillip Sinkala