GOVT’S PLAN TO START IMPORTING MEALIE-MEAL TO CUSHION LOOMING FOOD SHORTAGE OPPOSED
GOVT’S PLAN TO START IMPORTING MEALIE-MEAL TO CUSHION LOOMING FOOD SHORTAGE OPPOSED
By Lukundo Nankamba
Green Party Leader Peter Sinkamba says the government’s plan to start importing mealie-meal in the wake of a looming food shortage shows poor strategic management of the commodity.
President Hakainde Hichilema in his address to the nation on Thursday this week highlighted that the government will embark on the importation of mealie meal to mitigate the looming shortage of food.
But in an interview with phoenix news, Mr. Sinkamba has questioned why the country will need to import mealie meal for consumption when Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo has on several occasions assured the nation of being food secure.
Mr. Sinkamba has also expressed worry on the type of maize to be imported for local consumption when most neighboring countries have GMO maize and are facing severe effects of climate change affecting their yields.
The Green Party Leader has since guided that the UPND government stick to existing policies to avoid causing more chaos on the country’s food security.
PHOENIX NEWS