Maravi

FRA to announce maize floor price

FRA to announce maize floor price
Written by Nchima Nchito Jr
Thursday, May 07, 2009 3:25:30 PM

ZAMBIA National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has recommended a maize floor price of not less than K85000 per 50 kilogramme bag this marketing season. The Food Reserve Agency (FRA), through the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives, is today expected to announce this year’s floor price of maize.

According to a statement, ZNFU indicated that a consultative meeting was held with the FRA and other stakeholders to discuss the floor price of maize for this marketing season.

“The ZNFU, together with other stakeholders met with FRA on Wednesday April 22, 2009 to discuss the parameters to be used in determining this year’s FRA floor price,” read the statement in part. “The Union is of the opinion that the price of maize should not be less than K85,000 per 50 kilogramme bag, while others are indicating the price as low as K55,000 per 50 kilogramme bag.”

ZNFU appealed to all stakeholders to submit comments on floor prices of maize to the union.

The government last year set the floor price of maize at K50,000 per 50 kilogramme bag. But farmers now contend that production costs had gone up during the last farming season, and that a good price for the crops was therefore expected.

And when reached for a comment, agriculture minister Dr Brian Chituwo said a final decision would be communicated by the FRA later in the week.

Labels: FRA, MAIZE, PRICING, ZNFU

posted by MrK @ 2:27 PM