• MAZ is optimistic that it will meet its target before the end of the marketing season.
• The Association will continue buying maize after marketing season.
• Millers will continue buying maize even after the marketing season is over.
Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) says it has procured 1. 4 million metric tonnes of maize out of the targeted 1.8 million target from the start of the 2020/2021 crop marketing season.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Association President Andrew Chintala said the Association is optimistic that it will meet its target before the end of the marketing season on 31st October 2021.
Mr. Chintala assured small scale famers that even after the marketing season is over, the association will continue to buy their maize.
“Small Scale farmers must be promoted by buying their crops so that their crop does not go to waste and be food secure,” Mr. Chintala said.
He stated that the maize that has so far been bought represents 80 percent of the association’s target.
“The maize that is procured is targeted for Human consumption through Mealie meal and Livestock Utilization,” he added.
Mr. Chintala said he is hopeful that the 2022 farming season will bring out a bumper harvest so that the country does not lack food even at household level.
The 2021 Marketing season which commenced in June is expected to come to an end this October with most farmers still holding on to their maize.