By Scoop Reporter
SOUTHERN Province Permanent Secretary Mwamgala Liomba has cautioned farmers against selling their maize to private buyers saying they are being reaped off.
Mr. Liomba, who sounded the warning yesterday, says it was disheartening that farmers are selling their crop for as little as K45 for 50-kilogram bag of maize.
“You farmers must exercise some patience and wait for the maize market price to be announced. The situation where briefcase businessmen and women are reaping from you should not be allowed to happen,” Mr.
He says he is aware that farmers in the Province did not do very well during the 2018/2019 farming season and had no money in their pockets, but said this should not lead to desperation.
Some farmers around the country have been selling their maize to private buyers at very low prices claiming the moisture content is still very high.
Some private buyers have been going round purchasing the crop on the farm before it is harvested.
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) has condemned and called on stakeholders to halt the rampant short-changing of farmers by private buyers.
Source: ZNFU Friday brief
