• None of FRA maize at the depot has gone to waste as alleged.
• All the purchased maize is secured.
• However, 2,750 bags of farmers’ maize at the depot were exposed to rain.

Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has dismissed reports suggesting that about 3, 500 by 50 kilogram bags of its maize have gone to waste at Katangalika Satellite Depot in Chama North Constituency of Muchinga Province following heavy rains experienced in the area.’
Agency Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe told Money FM News that contrary to the reports, none of its maize at the depot has gone to waste because all purchased crop is secured.
Mr. Chipandwe disclosed that as at 12th October, 2021, FRA bought 5,677 x 50kg bags of Grade A white maize at the said satellite depot, out of which and 5,030 bags were moved to the main holding depot in Chama before the down pour.
“After moving the reported quantity of 5,030 bags, a balance of 647 bags remained at the satellite depot awaiting movement but the bags were as per required standard safely stored and secured in a Community Shed. Therefore, as the rains were experienced, the bags were safely secured and were not soaked as was reported,” Mr. Chipandwe stated.
He added that FRA has been moving all the purchased stock from depots to holding depots from the start of the marketing season, in order to secure it from rains and other eventualities.
Mr. Chipandwe however revealed that some maize for some farmers at the depot were exposed to rain and the affected number of bags is two thousand, seven hundred and fifty and not three thousand five hundred as was reported.
He said this is despite the Agency having been continuously urging farmers to secure their maize and ensure that it is not soaked.
“The Agency sympathizes with the affected farmers and deeply regrets that such an incident occurred. However, the affected number of bags that were exposed to the rains is not 3, 500 as was reported but 2,750 bags of farmers’ maize,” he clarified.
He advised the affected farmers to keep their maize in sunlight so that it could dry after, stating that the Agency will buy the crop because it is not rotten and has not gone to waste as alleged.
“Further, the Agency is aware of the need for empty grain bags in depots countrywide and these are being delivered once received from suppliers. This is evidenced by the increasing quantities of purchased maize on a daily basis.”