Food Reserve Agency buys more maize than projected in Eastern Province.

Eastern Province has exceeded its target for maize purchased in the 2014/2015 marketing season by over 80 by 50 kilogram bags of maize.
Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo told Breeze News that the province has purchased slightly over 984 thousand by 50 kilogram bags, valued at 73.8 million Kwacha, instead of the targeted 900 thousand bags of maize.
And Mr. Kasolo says the province has managed to pay about 48.6 million Kwacha, representing 65.85 per cent.
He says the province still owes farmers a total of 25.2 million Kwacha, representing 34.15 per cent.
Mr. Kasolo says that government is working hard to ensure that all the farmers, who sold maize to FRA, the Food Reserve Agency are paid soon.
Meanwhile Eastern Province does not have enough maize storage facilities.
Mr. Kasolo says that FRA is working with authorities from the central government to put up proper storage facilities, but it is a long process.
He says that the maize is currently being kept at the few storage sheds in Chipata, Lundazi and Vubwi districts, adding that the Malawian government has asked for 100 thousand metric tonnes of maize from Eastern Province.
The permanent secretary added that the presidential milling initiative that will be implemented soon will also assist to curb storage problems in the province because the maize will be going straight to millers.