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Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Tuesday Bwalya, has warned Food Reserve Agency (FRA) depot clerks against prioritising foreign nationals in maize purchases, saying the practice undermines local small-scale farmers.
Bwalya expressed concern over reports that some FRA depot clerks in Isoka and Nakonde had been buying maize from foreign nationals.
Speaking during a tour of Kalundu Satellite Depot, Mwenzo Depot and a storage shed, Bwalya said some grain buyers were purchasing maize from Tanzanian nationals for resale to the FRA.
“This will not be allowed and will not be tolerated,” Bwalya said.
He said the priority of the FRA’s maize purchasing exercise was local small-scale farmers, who were contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector and the economy of Muchinga Province.
Bwalya warned that any depot clerk found engaging in such practices would face action by enforcement authorities.
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He also warned against corruption at FRA depots and urged officials to uphold integrity and transparency in the maize purchasing process.
“The law will take its course on anyone attempting to undermine the interests of our local farmers,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Bwalya said the government would ensure that no grain was lost through inadequate storage.
He said the government was constructing six additional storage sheds through the Zambia Air Force in Mpika and Chinsali, while the provincial administration had identified alternative storage facilities at the TAZARA sheds in Mpika and nine TRALARD I project bulking centres.
The measures are intended to ensure adequate storage and protect purchased grain from rain and other forms of damage.
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