THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has purchased 477,500.75 metric tonnes of grade A maize out of its intended target of 500,000 metric tonnes for the 2021 crop marketing season.

In a statement, Saturday, FRA public relations coordinator John Chipandwe said the cost of maize purchased so far was K1.4 billion.

He said the Agency was optimistic that it would reach its intended target of 500,000 metric tonnes by the close of the crop marketing season on October 31, 2021.

“The Food Reserve Agency as at Thursday, 19th August 2021 purchased a total of 477,500.75 metric tonnes of grade A maize from small scale farmers in rural areas during this year’s crop marketing season that was officially opened on 17th June, 2021. This 477,500.75 MT is equivalent to a total of 9,550,015 by 50 kg bags of maize. This represents an achievement percentage rate of 95.5 percent. The Agency is targeting to buy a total of 500,000MTs of grade A white maize during this year’s crop marketing exercise and given the latest purchase figure of 477,500.75 MTs,” said Chipandwe.

“The Agency is optimistic that it will soon reach its planned target and will continue buying crops for Zambia national strategic food reserves up to the close of the marketing season which is 31st October. The cost of white maize purchased so far is valued at K1,432,502,250.00 out of which K1,211,521,500 representing 85 percent has been funded to pay farmers.”