"Shift in Maize Procurement: FRA Advocates Direct Purchase from Farmers"

In a strategic move aimed at promoting self-sufficiency and bolstering the agricultural ecosystem, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has announced a significant alteration in its approach to maize distribution. The agency has taken the decision to suspend the sale of maize to millers and has instead recommended that millers initiate direct purchases from farmers.

The rationale behind this paradigm shift lies in the FRA's commitment to encourage millers across the nation to diversify their sources of maize procurement. This adjustment has been prompted by the agency's desire to see millers proactively building and maintaining ample maize reserves during the ongoing crop marketing season. Such a strategic move is envisioned to ensure the sustained continuity of their business operations.

John Chipandwe, the Public Relations Coordinator for the FRA, issued a statement elucidating this transformative shift. Chipandwe highlighted that the agency has been consistently ensuring a stable supply of maize to both millers and the local market. However, despite these efforts, certain millers have persisted in submitting maize purchase applications to the FRA.

To address this, Chipandwe conveyed the agency's stance, asserting that the FRA will no longer be involved in the direct sale of maize. Instead, millers are strongly urged to acquire maize directly from farmers or through the open market. The aim is to encourage millers to tap into the ongoing crop marketing season, which witnesses farmers making their produce available.

Chipandwe acknowledged that the milling sector has already demonstrated a propensity to source maize from the local market during this year's crop marketing season. This practice aligns with the FRA's new approach, obviating the necessity for millers to submit maize purchase applications.

This transformative shift also underscores the FRA's recognition of millers as pivotal stakeholders in the larger framework of national food security. The agency views them as integral players who contribute substantially to the stability of the food supply chain. As such, the FRA advocates for millers to establish robust maize stocks independently, thereby mitigating their dependence on the national strategic food reserves.

In conclusion, the FRA's new directive fosters a landscape where farmers and millers engage in a more direct and mutually beneficial exchange. This paradigm shift not only aligns with market dynamics but also underscores the importance of collective efforts in ensuring a sustainable and resilient food supply system.