NFRA Insists on Meeting Maize Deficit Demand

National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) insists it will be able to meet the demand for the 2022/2023 emergency food aid despite having a deficit of 67, 000 metric tons.

NFRA Chief Executive Officer Brenda Kayongo told Zodiak as of now they have procured 23, 000 metric tons of maize from the K12 billion provided by the government in the 2021/2022 budget.

While acknowledging that the recent rise in maize prices will have effects on the purchase, Kayongo said it will not be significant such that NFRA will manage to supply the 90, 000 metric tons of maize required by the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Management Affairs (DODMA).

Meanwhile, programmes officer at the Centre for Social Concern Bernard Mphepo says the shortfall remains a cause for worry as only a month remains before the rainy season.

"It's a sad situation that we are learning that NFRA has not finalized procurement of maize by this time," said Mphepo.

He added that those districts that were affected by disasters this year will need urgent assistance hence the need for DOGMA and NFRA to act upon the situation with speed.

"Quick measures need to be taken to by both NFRA and DODMA to speed up their processes and help the country in a good time," he added.

DODMA released a report which indicated that about 20% of the population in the country, which is about 3.8 million people, will be food insecure from November this year to March 2023.

(By Annes Mwale-ZBS)

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Last modified on Tuesday, 20/09/2022

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