By Nkweto Ngoshe

Kasama—The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has purchased over 139, 000 metric tonnes of maize in Northern Province in the on-going crop marketing exercise.

This is above the target of 56, 000 metric tones which the province was given.

And according to the crop harvest survey estimation, Northern Province has produced 341, 000 metric tonnes of maize making it the highest in the country.

ZANIS reports that Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu revealed this during the second quarter Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) meeting in Kasama today.

Mr Mpundu has since urged District Commissioners in the province to encourage farmers in their respective districts to continue selling their produce to FRA to ensure food security.

He reiterated the need for people in the region to take advantage of the good rainfall pattern and arable land to produce enough food.

And Mr Mpundu has disclosed that the province has made significant strides in infrastructure development especially in projects under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

The permanent secretary is however not impressed that councils in the region have not done enough to publicise CDF projects.

Earlier, Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary Beauty Phiri called on stakeholders to actively participate in preparations for Zambia’s 60th Independence anniversary.

Ms Phiri said her office is concerned with the casual approach the province has taken in preparations for the Zambia at 60 celebrations

She urged local authorities and the private sector to take a leading role in the preparations and support the success of the event.