The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) has linked the failure by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to meet its 2018 reserve purchase target to the restriction on the export of maize.

MAZ president Andrew Chintala says the imposed administrative restriction on the export of maize and mealie meal may be the reason why most farmers are still holding on to grain .

Andrew ChintalaAnd Mr. Chintala says the announcement by the Minister of Agriculture that the FRA may not meet its target of purchasing 500,000 tons of maize this year has come as a source of concern to millers.

He says there is need for farmers in the Country, who are still holding on to their maize, to offload to the FRA before the maize marketing season closes.

Mr. Chintala is hoping that the Ministry of Agriculture will convene a meeting within the soonest possible time in order to chat the way forward with key players in the Agriculture sector.

He says doing so will rule out any possible looming hunger and guarantee food security in the Country.

Mr. Chintala believes that Zambia can only engage in the exportation of maize if it is food secured.