Luangwa District has received 120 metric tonnes of white maize from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) meant for community sales, to mitigate low crop yields from the 2024/2025 farming season.

Luangwa District Commissioner, Luke Chikani, confirmed the arrival of four trucks, saying four FRA depots will be opened in Chiyendeyende, Mphuka, Kaunga and Chitope communities for affordable maize purchases until this year’s crop harvest.

He attributed poor yields to poor rainfall and human-animal conflict, especially from the elephants, and the district’s challenging valley geography, despite farmers’ diligent use of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and Food Security Pack (FSP).

“The district is located in the Game Management Area hence the human-animal conflicts, especially with the elephants that terrorise maize fields and eat the crop,” he said.

Mr Chikani assured residents that community sales will continue until food security is restored, thanking government for its prompt response to the district’s request.