The Food Reserve Agency FRA is so far struggling to buy maize from farmers in Lundazi district.
The agency has only bought 176 by 50 kilogramme bags of maize since the marketing exercise opened.
Lundazi District Agricultural Co-ordinator Philemon Lungu told Breeze News today that this year’s maize market was the worst in terms of purchase despite an increase in the number of satellite depots.
Mr. Lungu explained that FRA has bought 176 by 50 kilogramme bags of maize in three satellite depots, namely Lumezi, Eggichicken and Mtwalo.
He further disclosed that Mtwalo satellite depot in Chief Magodi’s area recorded the highest purchase of 139 by 50 kgs of maize as of August, 29, 2016.
Only 25 bags have been bought at Lumezi deport while 12 bags have been bought at Eggichicken depot. The remaining 17 satellite depots have not bought a single grain.
Last marketing season, FRA bought 293,413 by 50 kilogramme bags of maize from Lundazi district.