Maravi

FRA to begin disbursing funds for maize purchase

FRA to begin disbursing funds for maize purchase
Written by Florence Bupe
Friday, September 18, 2009 5:02:37 PM

THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is this week set to disburse K50 billion out of the K271 billion sourced from commercial banks for this year’s maize purchasing exercise. And the agency has extended the maize marketing season from September 30 to October 31, 2009.

FRA executive director Dr Anthony Mwanaumo disclosed in a press statement yesterday that the agency had began the process of accessing the K271 billion from a commercial bank he declined to name for the purchase of additional grain from small-scale farmers.

“The agency has also started to access K271 billion from a commercial bank, of which K50 billion is being disbursed this week, in addition to K20 billion from government to pay for deliveries made by small-scale farmers as at September 12, bringing the total disbursed so far to K190 billion,” he stated.

Dr Mwanaumo stated that a total of K471 billion would be spent on the maize purchasing exercise this year, facilitating the buying of 300,000 metric tonnes of maize (about six million by 50 kilogramme bags).

So far, FRA has bought 1,810,520 by 50 kilogramme bags of maize from small-scale farmers across the country.

And Dr Mwanaumo stated that the maize marketing season had been extended to allow farmers deliver their produce, considering the delays in the commencement of the exercise this year.

He stated that warehouse managers had been directed to continue receiving maize from the farmers at all buying depots.

Dr Mwanaumo urged farmers not to panic as controls were in place to ensure that they sold their crop.

This year’s marketing season has been characterised by complaints from farmers opposing the earlier purchase target of 110,000 metric tonnes under an initial government allocation of K100 billion, as well as delayed payment following deliveries of produce.

Labels: ANTHONY MWANAUMO, FRA, MAIZE

posted by MrK @ 4:02 PM