The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) says it is fully prepared to begin buying maize for the 2026/2027 Crop Marketing Season, but the exercise cannot start yet because the country's maize still contains too much moisture.
Addressing the media in Lusaka, FRA Board Chairperson Suresh Desai said Zambia is expecting a historic maize harvest of 5.1 million metric tonnes, the largest ever recorded in the country's history.
"This massive output, the highest ever in the country's history, will ensure national food security and a significant surplus for export," Mr. Desai said.
He added that the production outlook has given FRA a strong foundation to begin this year's crop marketing programme.
Mr. Desai said the agency has already completed almost every logistical requirement needed before opening buying depots across the country.
"A total of 1,749 buying depot sites have been established and will be operationalised during the 2026 Crop Marketing Period," he announced.
He further disclosed that FRA has recruited 3,498 buying depot clerks and an equal number of security guards, who will be deployed once buying begins.
"A total of 3,498 buying depot clerks have been recruited, and a total of 3,498 security guards have been recruited as well, and these will be moved on site when the buying depots open," he said.
To prepare for the bumper harvest, FRA has also distributed millions of empty grain bags across the country.
"The Agency has already distributed seven million empty grain bags to all the districts for both maize and paddy rice. A further 23 million empty grain bags have already arrived and are being held in our central storage sites," Mr. Desai said.
He added that weighing scales, sieves, twine and black sheets have already been delivered to district centres in readiness for the buying exercise.
Despite the preparations, Mr. Desai said one major issue is preventing FRA from opening the depots immediately.
"As you can see from the foregoing, the Food Reserve Agency is fully ready to commence the buying exercise. However, what is still holding us is the issue of moisture content of the harvested maize in the country," he said.
He explained that FRA stores maize for long periods as part of Zambia's national food reserves, meaning only properly dried grain can be accepted.
"For long-term storage, it is absolutely essential that the stored maize has a moisture level of 12.5 percent and below. If the moisture level is higher than this, the grain will spoil easily and even develop aflatoxins, which are very dangerous to human and animal health," he explained.
According to the latest moisture survey, harvested maize is still above the required level.
"The highest recorded moisture content stands at 18.14 percent, and the lowest recorded moisture level is still 13.57 percent," Mr. Desai revealed.
He assured farmers that FRA will begin buying immediately once the grain reaches the required standard.
"On behalf of the Board and Management of the Food Reserve Agency, I am making a firm commitment that the Agency will commence intake of maize as soon as the moisture content levels drop to 12.5 percent or below," he said.
Meanwhile, FRA has announced a major change in how farmers will receive payment this season.
Mr. Desai said all payments for maize and paddy rice will now be made through a digital payment system.
"The FRA Board has this year directed its management to ensure that all purchases of maize and paddy rice are paid for through the digital online payment system," he said.
He urged farmers intending to sell maize to ensure they have either an active bank account or a mobile money account.
"This is being done to ensure that farmers don't suffer in the long queues which characterised our previous payment arrangement," Mr. Desai said.
He encouraged farmers who have not yet submitted their banking or mobile money details to FRA district offices to do so as soon as possible.
On pricing, Mr. Desai said consultations are still ongoing.
"In the meantime, the Food Reserve Agency is in extensive consultations with various stakeholders to arrive at its buying price for maize and rice for this season, and these will be announced soon," he said.
JUST TO UNLOCK YOUR MIND
Many farmers ask one question every year: "Why is FRA delaying to buy maize when the crop is already harvested?"
The answer is moisture content.
Moisture content is simply the amount of water still trapped inside a maize grain. Freshly harvested maize usually contains a lot of moisture. If FRA stores it before it dries properly, the grain can develop mould, rot and aflatoxins—harmful toxins that can make both people and animals sick.
That is why FRA insists on buying maize with a moisture content of 12.5 percent or below. The rule is not meant to frustrate farmers. It is meant to protect Zambia's strategic food reserves, which may remain in storage for months or even years before being used or exported.
Source: Statement by FRA Board Chairperson Hon. Suresh M. Desai.
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