Zambia: The commercial farmers of the country have delivered 6-thousand metric tonnes of non-genetically modified Grade A white maize to the Food Reserve Agency –FRA. The farmers had been contracted to grow Maize under the Early Maize Programme.
As per the official statistics, the quantity that the farmers grew translates into 1-hundred and 21-thousand 6-hundred and 14 by 50-kilogram bags of Commercial farmers of Zambia delivered 6-thousand metric tonnes of non-genetically modified Grade A white maize under early maize programme. The administration has been dedicated to working towards eliminating the country’s hunger crisis.
The government wants to ensure that no members of the community are adversely affected by the crisis. The production of the Maize was part of the launch of the Early Maize Programme harvest.
The initiative was launched by President Hakainde Hichilema on March 18, 2024, in the Mkushi District of Central Province. The country has been struggling with the crisis for several months, as the persistent drought led to an unsuccessful agriculture season.
The program saw 55 commercial farmers contracted to grow maize as a response to the drought situation the country is facing among other interventions and the contracted farmers have continued delivering maize to FRA.
Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe says the agency targets purchasing one hundred and forty thousand metric tonnes of maize under the Early Maize Programme.
He said that over 6,000 metric tonnes of maize have been delivered so far, and the balance is expected to be delivered by the end of June this year.
The Early Maize Programme, initiated by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and FRA as a recipient, is aimed at supplementing other efforts aimed at replenishing national strategic food reserves to ensure sustained national food security.
Chipandwe says the initiative seeks to stabilize local maize supply and prices and enhance food security.
He told Byta FM Zambia News in a statement that the Agency is optimistic that the intervention will have a positive impact on efforts to replenish national strategic food reserves for sustained national food security.