Agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has urged farmers across the country to reserve some maize for household consumption as they sell their produce to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) or private buyers, to ensure year-round food security.
The call comes after government yesterday, officially announced the commencement of maize purchases by the FRA across the country.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News today, Dr. Bulaya emphasized that while selling maize provides crucial income, it is equally important for farmers to safeguard their own food supply.
“As farmers sell the commodity to both FRA, it is essential that they also keep something for consumption, to ensure they are food secure throughout the year,” said Dr. Bulaya.
Dr. Bulaya has also appealed to FRA to expedite payments to farmers to enable them to purchase farming inputs early, when prices are more stable.
He said delayed payments often force farmers to buy inputs at the end of the year when prices are at their highest, making farming more expensive and less profitable, emphasizing that early payments will empower them to plan better and invest in the next farming season.
By Margaret Mwanza
