The National Food Reserve Agency-NFRA says it expects to award contracts to successful maize suppliers end this month to stock the strategic food reserve with 40,000 metric tonnes of maize needed this year.

NFRA chief executive officer George Macheka told Zodiak Online Friday that so far, they are working on conducting a due diligence on evaluated bidders following closure of receiving expression of interest Thursday this week.

"NFRA is ready to purchase maize for its strategic food reserve across the country. 

Currently, a process to conduct due diligence on evaluated bidders is in the cards before submitting the successful names to the PPDA for no objection," said Macheka.

Macheka said the agency is looking for suppliers who will deliver on the contract. 

He added, " People with an average of one tonne maize and above are encouraged to sell the grain to us and paymentwill he made within 24 hours."

Meanwhile, agriculture expert Gresham Kamnyamata has urged the agency to expedite the processes.

"There is stiffer competition on the market, NFRA must up its game to complete the procurement of suppliers in time," said Kamnyamata. 

In the current 2025-2026 financial year, parliament has allocated K60 billion for maize purchase, of which K40 billion is for the NFRA.