Lundazi farmers cautious over maize price

–Some farmers in Lundazi district of eastern province have received the 2014 maize floor price  with mixed feelings.

The farmers told ZANIS in Lundazi that the new maize floor price of K70.00 per 50 kilo gram bag of white maize from K65.00 was not enough to cover production expenses incurred during the season.

Mr Simon Banda of Chiswa Village, chief Mphamba said government should have increased the maize floor price from K65 to K100 per 50 kilo gram bag of white maize in order to sustain small scale farmers in rural areas

Mr Banda disclosed  that the price of farming inputs especially fertilizer packs have since kept increasing claiming that government through the Food Reserve Agency [FRA]  during 2013/2014  farming season increased  a  subsided fertilizer pack from K50 to K100 per 50kg bag of fertilizer.

Meanwhile, Jackson Chibanga and John Mukuwa both farmers of Mwasemphangwe Resettlement Scheme, in chief Mwasemphangwe’s area have since welcomed the increase of the maize floor price by government saying it was a welcome move because K65 price per 50 kg bag remained stuck for four years.

Minister of Agriculture Wilbur Simuusa  last week Friday announced the 2014 maize floor price from K65 to K70 per 50kg bag of white maize  attracting mixed reactions from farmers.