MILLERS FACING CHALLENGES TO ACCESS MAIZE IN ONGOING CROP MARKETING SEASON
By Tellah Hazinji
The Millers’ Association of Zambia -MAZ-says millers are facing challenges to directly access maize from farmers in the ongoing crop marketing season.
Reacting to the Food Reserve Agency’s advice to millers to buy enough maize in order to sustain their businesses and reduce dependence on the agency, MAZ president Andrew Chintala says it is difficult for millers to buy maize as it is not readily available on the market while the few that is available is being sold at exorbitant prices.
This is after the agency noted that despite the on-going crop marketing season and the stable supply of maize on the local market, some millers have continued making maize purchase applications.
But in an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Chintala explains that some farmers and traders are holding on to their maize hoping for much higher prices going forward, a decision he says has affected the purchase of the commodity by millers.
Mr. Chintala is urging farmers and traders who are holding on to the maize to be patriotic saying the set maize price is fair and should not expect any other price.
He has further appealed to millers to get whatever is available on the market to support their production.
PHOENIX NEWS
Credit Phoenix FM Zambia