FRA
Welcome Message
You are welcome to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) Website.
FRA was established in 1995 by the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Food Reserve Act Chapter 225 of the laws of Zambia. FRA was established to replace operations of the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBOARD) and the Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF). Further, in 2005, the Government of the Republic of Zambia amended the Food Reserve Act and bestowed upon the Agency (FRA) the extra mandate of crop marketing.
The Agency was established as a consequence of various social and economic reforms that Government embarked on since 1991 aimed at creating a market orientated economic system in Zambia. As a result, the agricultural sector including marketing of agricultural produce was liberalized and this saw the Government reducing its participation. The Government’s involvement in the agricultural sector is now restricted to:
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- ensuring maintenance of food security reserves;
- providing overall market support;
- providing relevant market information; and
- agricultural credit facilities to small-scale farmers.
VISION STATEMENT: A reliable Agency for sustainable strategic food reserves for the nation.
MISSION STATEMENT: To manage strategic food reserves for national food security.
CORE VALUES: In order to attain the Vision and Mission Statements, the Agency commits to uphold the following core values: Integrity, team work, safety consciousness, professionalism, equity and accountability.
FUNCTIONS OF FRA:
The functions of FRA as stipulated in the FRA Act Chapter 225 are as follows:
- Administer the national food reserves;
- Establish a market information system of stocks of designated commodities for the national strategic food reserve;
- Promote the use of approved standards of weighing and grading for designated agricultural commodities in accordance with the Weights and Measures Act and the Standards Act;
- Establish and conduct a programme under which storage facilities and equipment owned by the Government may be leased or sold;
- To assess storage requirements for marketing a designated agricultural commodity and plan for their establishment as needed;
- Undertake such other functions as the Minister responsible for agriculture may assign to the Agency;
- The Agency shall, in addition to such other actions as maybe necessary to administer the national strategic food reserve, purchase, import, sell, or trade in any agricultural commodity; and
- Notwithstanding any provision of any other law, the Agency may enter into a contract with any person for the purpose of performing any of its functions under the Act.
Anti-Corruption Policy
FRA has a zero-tolerance policy to corruption which is underscored by its warm and cordial working relationship with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The Agency has an Integrity Committee which underpins its desire to be a corrupt-free organisation.
FRA BENEFITS RURAL COMMUNITIES
FRA completes the value chain by providing market access to small scale farmers in rural areas which results in the following benefits:
- increased farmer net earnings hence improved living standards;
- increased food production and household food security;
- creation of massive seasonal employment for rural women and youths during the marketing season;
- influences growth from small to emergent farmer category; and
- facilitate asset accumulation.
Please read on and learn more about FRA on this platform.
Chola A. Kafwabulula (Executive Director)
