The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has purchased 1,225,215 metric tonnes of Grade A white maize from farmers across the country as the 2025 crop marketing season progresses.
The Agency says the purchased quantity is equivalent to 24,504,300 50-kilogram bags, recorded as of August 31, 2025, and consists entirely of non-genetically modified maize.
In a statement issued to RCV News today, FRA Acting Executive Director Justin Chuunka said the maize was procured from 1,586 satellite depots countrywide and will ensure that all surplus maize from farmers is purchased for sufficient replenishment of National Strategic Food Reserves.
“In this regard, all satellite depots are still open and shall remain so until all designated crops to be presented for sale are purchased before the onset of rains,” said Mr. Chuunka.
Mr. Chuunka has further expressed gratitude to farmers for their hard work that resulted in the bumper harvest and for their willingness to sell their crops to Government through FRA depots.
He also credited the strong response from farmers to competitive crop prices, supportive government agricultural policies, and favorable weather conditions during the previous farming season.
Mr. Chuunka has farmers across the country to continue delivering their crops to the nearest FRA depots and play their role in making Zambia food secure.
He has since advised farmers to reserve substantial quantities of their harvests of various crops for future use at household level and only sell the excess preferably to government through FRA depots as national food security begins at household level.
By Margaret Mwanza
