Maravi

Next crop marketing exercise will be a success – FRA

Next crop marketing exercise will be a success – FRA
By Florence Bupe
Tue 08 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT

THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has expressed optimism that the next crop marketing exercise will be a success.

In a statement, FRA executive director Anthony Mwanaumo indicated that the agency was already engaged in discussions with various stakeholders to devise ways of improving the implementation of the exercise.

“The agency is optimistic about the next purchase exercise in 2010 as it continues to improve on the systems involved in the programme. In this regard, a consultative planning process is at a very advanced stage in view of the new budget cycle,” Dr Mwanaumo stated.

The agency purchased a total of 198,630 metric tonnes of maize during the just ended 2009 crop marketing exercise, at a value of K258 billion.

A further K1.2 billion was spent on rice purchases from small-scale farmers across the country.

He disclosed that all the farmers who supplied their produce to FRA had since been paid their dues as the agency disbursed the entire amount that was owed to the farmers.

He stated that increased purchases were registered during the two extensions effected by the agency, with Northern Province recording the highest purchases with more than 54,000 metric tonnes, translating into a percentage of 25.2 of the total purchases.

Labels: ANTHONY MWANAUMO, FRA

posted by MrK @ 5:00 AM