NGOZI, April 22nd (ABP) – The purchase of maize by the national agency for food safety management (ANAGESSA) provides a financial boost for farmers. However, the delayed maize grain purchasing campaign is causing a drop in prices, according to farmers in Ngozi who spoke on the matter.
During ABP’s visit on Friday, April 18, 2025, to the mills near the central market of Ngozi, maize grains were being sold at 1,100 BIF per kilogram, while the price set by ANAGESSA is 1,700 BIF per kilogram. Due to ANAGESSA’s delayed intervention, producers are turning to traders who offer them paltry prices.
Farmers from Kinyami village in Ngozi commune and province, who spoke with ABP, expressed their frustration with the delay. “We were reassured by local officials who told us that ANAGESSA would buy our harvest at a good price, but it was in vain,” said one of the Kinyami farmers. They pointed out that the situation worsens their financial vulnerability, as they depend on the sale of their harvests to meet family needs and fund small projects.
Moreover, some farmers, holding onto hope that ANAGESSA will eventually buy their produce, are keeping their stock without proper storage facilities. In that regard, they fear significant losses due to mold, rodents, and humidity. Those farmers are calling on ANAGESSA and the relevant authorities to publish and clarify an official calendar, set defined purchasing periods, and guarantee a fair minimum price.