Ministry of Agriculture Urges Farmers to Wait for FRA Maize Price Announcement
The Ministry of Agriculture has called on farmers to exercise patience and hold off on selling their maize until the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) announces the official 2025 crop buying price.
Speaking during the ongoing CAMINEX expo in Kitwe, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Mr. John Mulongoti, urged farmers to avoid selling to briefcase buyers offering unreasonably low prices.
Mr. Mulongoti assured the public that FRA has completed all necessary preparations for the upcoming crop marketing season. “The government is committed to setting a cost-reflective and fair price that takes into account rising production costs,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary further advised farmers to prioritize household food security by keeping sufficient maize for their families before selling.
He also reminded beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to contribute at least ten 50kg bags of maize to the FRA as part of national food reserve efforts.
Zambia is poised for a record-breaking maize harvest in the 2024/2025 season, rebounding from the severe drought that impacted the previous year’s output.
The call was made on the sidelines of CAMINEX, a major industrial exhibition themed “Creating a Regional Hub of Possibilities, Partnerships, Production, People,” which brings together key players from agriculture, mining, and industry.
