The Food Reserve Agency, (FRA) would like to refute media reports that FRA officials have been involved in corrupt practices in Northern Province.

Investigations have revealed that an official of the Mpika District Farmers Association , contracted buying agent, and a Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Extension Officer of Kalamo Camp, both working from Finkuli satellite depot situated 120 Km before Mpika, are believed to have been charging farmers K5,000 per bag for receipt of stock and K500 to weigh each bag.

The two have since been arrested by state police and are detained at Mpika police station. Investigations are still going on and will extend to other areas where such cases have been reported.

A concerned farmer alerted the Food Reserve Agency Management on the matter and the Agency’s security unit with the help of government security wings moved in swiftly to investigate the matter.

All Warehouse and satellite Depot managers, as contracted buying agents of FRA, are warned not to involve themselves in any mal practices as the law shall catch up and deal with them firmly.

The FRA enganges farmer associations and cooperatives to buy the produce from farmers on its behalf across the country, except for selected points where FRA staff are employed. This is because the number of the FRA employees is not enough to cater for the vast countryside.

Mwamba Siame (Mrs.)
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER