By Rogan Labika,
Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo has called on the private sector to actively participate in the procurement of maize grain to bolster support for local farmers.
Mr. Mtolo noted that the country has seen a significant increase in maize production, a result of consistent government support. However, he clarified that the government alone cannot absorb the total volume of maize currently being produced nationwide.
The Minister emphasized that private sector involvement is crucial for market stability. Stating that by providing more formal buying options, the industry can protect farmers from being exploited by briefcase buyers.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mtolo announced that government has disbursed a total of K11.3 billion to the 856,000 farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) during the 2025 crop marketing season.
