14 November 2009
THE Zambia National Union of Farmers (ZNFU) has said the Government decision to export maize to countries with deficits within the region is not a threat to Zambia's food security.
ZNFU executive director, Ndambo Ndambo said in an interview that the Government consulted stakeholders before allowing the export of 100,000 tonnes of maize to Kenya.
Mr Ndambo was reacting to calls by the Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) that the Government should not export the excess maize but instead build up strategic reserves for the country.
The ZNFU official said the stakeholders on the monitoring committee looked at the local consumption before allowing the export of the commodity.
SEEDCO International Zambia Limited, Zambia business unit manager, Marx Mbunji said in a separate interview that the Government should go ahead to export surplus maize from the last farming season as supply has outstripped demand.
Mr Mbunji said Zambia could export up to 300,000 tonnes of maize.
According to 2009 crop forecast for 2009, the national production stood at 1.9 million tonnes and the national consumption was 1.6 million tonnes leaving the excess of 300,000 tonnes.
ZACA executive director, Muyunda Ililonga questioned the Government move to export 100,000 tonnes of maize to Kenya when it had not established reliable strategic reserves.
But Mr Mbunji said there was no need to limit exports as allowing exports would encourage production and expansion of the agriculture sector.
"In fact, this year unlike last year, maize prices have been slow to rise especially from the private sector, so the country is quite safe with exports," Mr Mbunji said.
He said maize exports would earn the Government income, which could be channeled to needy areas of economic development like the agriculture sector itself.
He said to date, the private sector prices of maize were still lower than Food Reserve Agency meaning that Zambia produced more maize than it required for consumption.
"So we need to export to support farmer prices for next year's crop," Mr Mbunji said.
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