AGRICULTURE minister, Mtolo Phiri, has cautioned Farmers participating in the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) not to sell their Maize harvest to anyone but the Food Reserve Agency as part of the program’s terms and conditions.
Phiri said those that won’t follow the directive risk being removed from the programme.
He explained that farmers must understand that terms under FISP and the Agriculture Credit Window have a binding clause that requires farmers to supply their maize to FRA.
The minister warned that Government was observing every farmer under FISP especially those in areas that received good rains as they are expected to sell their Maize to FRA so that they can contribute to the country’s food security.
“There’s a binding clause,” Phiri explained in a ZNBC interview. “If you don’t sell your maize to FRA, we will be monitoring, especially outside drought-hit regions.”
The minister stated that this is the time for FISP farmers to sell maize to FRA at a good price as they are able to buy at a better price as compared to last year.
Phiri cautioned that no one should ever be tempted to sell maize to people who take it out of the country.
“Your access will be cut so I’m putting a friendly warning to farmers who benefited from FISP that it is now your turn to sell to the agency,” added Phiri.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, April 24, 2024
