Chadiza farmers withdraw maize from FRA depots
By Staff Reporter
SMALL scale peasant farmers in Chadiza district of eastern province have opted to sell their maize to briefcase buyers who are offering better prices compared to the Food Reserve Agency floor price of K70.
A check at Sinalo and Kapinda selling points in Katiula area showed that the farmers are not selling their crop to the agency and opted to sell their maize to briefcase buyers who are paying cash of between K65 to K80 per 50kgs.
In an interview, one of the farmers Mabvuto Zimba said since August 1, when the marketing season officially opened farmers had been taking the maize to sales depots such as Kapinda. Zimba however, explained that the farmers started withdrawing the maize upon the arrival of the private buyers who were sometimes offering better prices.
“When some briefcase buyers came to the area, the farmers withdrew their maize from the FRA depot and sold it to the vendors – this is welcome to us poor farmers,” said Zimba.
