President Hakainde Hichilema has directed the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to double its maize purchase target from 500,000 to one million metric tonnes, citing the need to strengthen Zambia’s food security and support farmers amid a bumper harvest.
Speaking at a grain financing meeting at State House, Hichilema said the current FRA target was insufficient to meet the country’s annual maize demand of 2.5 million metric tonnes, warning that inadequate reserves could force Zambia to rely on imports during future shortages.
He called for collaboration between government and the private sector to secure national stocks and promote exports of value-added products such as mealie meal and stock feed.
The FRA, established to maintain Zambia’s strategic food reserves, has already received 350,000 metric tonnes of maize from farmers this season, according to Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo who expects the 500,000 metric tonnes target to be met within weeks.
The agency recently increased its purchase price to K340 (about $14.60) per 50kg bag from last year’s K330, but concerns persist over low prices in rural areas where maize is reportedly being bought at K4 per kilogramme, well below the FRA’s floor price.
Zambia’s 2024/25 farming season saw a strong maize output, supported by expanded irrigation and favourable weather in key provinces.
JN/APA