Hold on to your harvest, ZNFU advises farmers
By Staff Reporter
The Zambia National Farmers Union has asked farmers in Chadiza district and the country at large not to sell their crops to briefcase buyers at giveaway prices but to wait for better prices that would be announced at the appropriate time.
Spokesperson Calvin Kaleyi said he was sad to learn that farmers in Chadiza were selling their Soya beans and maize at low prices out of economic desperation.
“Just as ZNFU told farmers two weeks ago, there is need for the farmers to exercise patience and not to fall prey to the vendors who are going round offering to buy soya beans at K2 per kg instead of recommended K3 and above,” said Kaleyi.
“It is saddening that because the maize moisture content is still high, the farmers are forcing maize and soya beans to dry in the sun instead of allowing the natural process of drying to take place. This year a good harvest is predicted and they are expected to make money this season because both maize and soya beans will be on high demand.”
Farmers of Naviruli area in Chadiza district were last week reported to have been selling their maize at between K25 to K40 per 50 kilogram bag.
