STAKEHOLDERS IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR RECEIVE 2022 CROP PRICE SET BY FRA WITH MIXED REACTIONS

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have received the 2022 crop price set by the Food Reserve Agency –FRA-with mixed reactions.

According to PHOENIX NEWS, National Union for Small Scale Farmers -NUSFAZ- Executive Director Ebony Loloji says the price is cost reflective and will give farmers that may not want to sell to FRA an opportunity to export their produce at a much higher price.

For millers Association of Zambia President Andrew Chintala, the commodity price by the FRA is a fair price for both farmers and consumers and may lead to a downward trend in the cost of maize by-products such as mealie meal.

But Small Scale Farmers Development Agency Executive Director Boyd Moobwe is unhappy with the price set by the FRA in view of the cost of production that farmers incur and has urged farmers in the country to hold on to their maize until a much higher price is agreed on.