Farmers who fail to sell to FRA risk being removed from FISP – Agriculture Minister

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Government has warned that farmers who fail to sell maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will not be eligible to benefit from the 2025/2026 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Agriculture Minister Reuben Phiri said under Cabinet Circular No. CM 11 of 2024, each FISP beneficiary is required to sell a minimum of ten 50kg bags of maize to the FRA.

He said a deadline for maize delivery will be announced soon.

Delivering a ministerial statement to Parliament on the 2025 crop marketing season, Mr. Phiri said the FRA has planned to buy 543,000 metric tonnes of maize from small-scale farmers at a competitive price of K6,800 per tonne or K340 per 50kg bag, to incentivise production.

He has clarified that the procurement will be done in a phased manner in compliance with the law, which requires that maize bought for strategic reserves must have a moisture content of 12.5%.

“High moisture levels increase microbial activity, leading to mould, mycotoxins, spoilage and reduced shelf life,” Mr. Phiri said.

He has disclosed that 1,600 satellite depots across the country have been opened in areas where maize has reached the acceptable moisture threshold.

Mr. Phiri says the buying process follows set guidelines outlined in the FRA Satellite Manual Handbook and conforms to the Grain Marketing (Acceptance Standards) Regulations under Statutory Instrument No. 296 of 1969, as amended.

The regulations define defective grain to include, damaged, discoloured, diseased, germinated, shrivelled, stained, undeveloped, or unthreshed grain, as well as smutty or other coloured grain.

The minister has also outlined the FRA’s grain preservation protocols, which includeRegular cleaning of storage facilities, Pest identification and control, Periodic fumigation and spraying with appropriate chemicals, and use of well-ventilated, leak-proof storage structures.

Mr. Phiri has further assured Parliament that the FRA would continue monitoring the market to ensure both government and private sector players have equal opportunity to procure maize from farmers.

“The FRA will review the situation as the market evolves, and take the necessary course of action,” he said.

Ends……………………

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