GOVT ADVISED TO INCREASE ANNUAL THRESHOLD FOR MAIZE PROCUREMENT
By Lukundo Nankamba
Green Party Leader Peter Sinkamba has advised the government to increase the threshold for annual procurement of maize from 500,000 metric tonnes to 2 million tonnes to help sustain the country’s food security for a minimum of 3 years.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr Sinkamba is saddened that the current shortage of mealie meal and maize in the country is being attributed to demand from neighboring countries that do not have enough maize stock, an indication that the government lacks policy direction in handling the issue.
Mr Sinkamba says Zambia has been relying on a threshold of 500,000 metric tonnes since 1995 against a population of around 20 million, which is not sustainable and will continue affecting the country’s food security if not properly addressed.
The Green Party Leader has further advised that the government only allows export of maize if there is food security of over 2 million tonnes of the commodity to help control the shortage going forward.
PHOENIX NEWS