Some farmers in Chipata have vowed not to sale their maize to FRA, the Food Reserve Agency this year if government does not increase the buying price for the commodity.
Speaking during a live programme dubbed The Voice on Breeze FM, this morning, a small scale farmer, Patulani Banda says the 75 Kwacha buying price for maize is too low for a farmer.
Mr. Banda says farmers will instead sale their maize to private companies or neighboring countries if government maintains its price of 75 Kwacha.
Mr. Banda says the production cost for farming has gone up and most farmers will make a loss if government does not increase the buying price.
He stated that government should remove ZNS, the Zambia National Service Officers from borders areas to allow farmers sale maize to other countries at reasonable prices.
And CDFA, Chipata District Farmers Association Coordinator, Vigil Malambo says government did not consult them and other stakeholders when coming up with the price.
Mr. Malambo says the FRA maize buying price has negatively impacted on the pricing of the product by private buyers who have also reduced their buying price.