By 
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has reportedly purchased 28,495 metric tonnes of maize in Northern Province, equivalent to approximately 569,900 50-kilogramme bags, as the 2026 crop marketing season continues.
Northern Province Acting Permanent Secretary, Beauty Undi-Phiri, revealed that the maize had been purchased as of August 9, 2026, with the agency receiving K200 million in funding to support maize purchases from farmers across the province.
The Acting Permanent Secretary said this when she visited Chipya, Kanyata Satellite Depot in Mungwi District and Musa Satellite Depot in Kasama District to assess the progress of maize purchases.
She disclosed that first K100 million was received at the beginning of the marketing season and had since been fully disbursed to facilitate maize purchases.
Read More: Food Reserve Agency sets K347 floor price for maize as 2026 crop buying begins
“A further K100 million was received on 8th August, 2026, of which K10 million has so far been disbursed to support ongoing purchases,” Undi-Phiri said.
She assured farmers that the Government remained committed to purchasing their maize and has put adequate resources in place to support the crop marketing exercise.
“This year’s maize purchasing programme had been strengthened in response to concerns raised by farmers during previous marketing seasons,” Undi-Phir said.
She also encouraged farmers to continue delivering their maize to FRA buying centres, assuring them of Government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and efficient marketing process.
Meanwhile, FRA announced the temporary closure of all its satellite depots across the country to allow employees to participate in the 2026 General Elections.
The temporary closure is intended to enable Satellite Depot Clerks and other FRA employees to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
In a notice issued on Tuesday by the FRA Board Chairperson, Suresh Desai said the depots would close at 18:00 hours on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and remain shut throughout the election period.
“Normal operations will resume at 07:00 hours on Friday, August 14, 2026,” Desai said.
The Board has directed Regional Managers and other responsible officers to ensure that employees, farmers and other stakeholders are informed of the temporary closure in good time and that all necessary arrangements are made to facilitate an orderly shutdown and reopening of the depots.
The FRA also expressed appreciation to members of staff for their cooperation during the election period.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments