LUSAKA Province minister Sheal Mulyata has committed to protect the interests of farmers in Lusaka province by ensuring that Food Reserve Agency (FRA) depots remain open until all farmers have sold their maize.
Mulyata lauded the country’s unprecedented bumper Harvey’s of maize, and highlighted President Hakainde Hichilema’s strategic decision to double the FRA’s maize procurement target to one million metric tonnes for national reserves.
Speaking when she toured FRA depots in Chongwe, Rufunsa and Luangwa districts.
Mulyata praised farmers’ dedication and excellent performance in producing this impressive maize harvest, stating that it is due to the efficient management of the Farmer input Support Programme (FISP).
In addition, she cited the FISP bonding scheme as a contributing factor to the significant influx of maize supplies to the FRA, requiring FISP beneficiaries to contribute at least 10 bags of grade A white maize to the agency.
Mulyata further called upon the FRA to swiftly address any challenges that farmers might encounter while supplying maize to the agency.
“We must ensure that any issues reported in the field are promptly brought to the attention of relevant authorities and resolved swiftly. Our farmers have worked hard to produce this bumper harvest, and they deserve our full support,” she emphasised.
And FRA provincial marketing coordinator Lundu Sichale shared that Lusaka Province had already purchased over 55,000 metric tonnes of white maize from farmers, amounting to approximately K400 million as of August 20, 2025.
He further noted that an additional 65,000 metric tonnes were still available on the market, demonstrating the province’s abundant maize supplies.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba August 22, 2025
