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ZNFU threatens to expose Lusaka millers cheating Mazabuka farmers

ZNFU threatens to expose Lusaka millers cheating Mazabuka farmers
Written by Henry Chibulu in Mazabuka
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 6:07:56 PM

THE Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) in Mazabuka has threatened to expose some Lusaka millers who have invaded most parts of Mazabuka and allegedly cheating farmers by buying maize at low prices.

ZNFU agri-business manager for Mazabuka, Clement Phiri, yesterday said investigations conducted by his organisation had established that some millers believed to be from Lusaka had allegedly hired agents to buy maize from farmers for as low as K18,000 per 50 kilogramme bag in chief Mwanachingwala’s area and at K 25,000 and K 35,000 in Chivuna and Chikankata respectively.

Phiri said there was need for the government to move in swiftly and announce the floor price for maize and ensure that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) was allocated huge resources to buy off the commodity from small- scale farmers.

He said the government should buy enough maize from farmers for national reserve and prepare for any food shortages.

Phiri said ZNFU was worried with the increased number of unscrupulous maize traders buying maize at give-away prices, adding that the private sector could create an artificial maize shortage that may result in price hikes for mealie- meal.

In the 2007/2008 maize marketing season, a 50 kilogramme bag of maize was pegged at K50,000 as announced by the government.

Phiri has since urged agriculture minister Brian Chituwo to ensure that the floor price of maize was announced in the first week of May to save farmers from being swindled.

On Monday, Mazabuka district commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba, pleaded with farmers to stop selling maize to briefcase buyers and wait for the government to announce the floor price.

Labels: CORRUPTION, MAZABUKA DISTRICT, MEALIE-MEAL, MILLERS, ZNFU

posted by MrK @ 5:09 PM