Government says it is worried about the food security in Kalabo district of Western province due to unpredictable and continuous changes in the rainfall patterns leading to poor harvests.
Food Reserve Agency (FRA) Executive Director, Chola Kafwabulula, adds that Kalabo is also trailing in terms of maize productivity due to poor soil texture and that most of the maize for consumption by the residents comes from Lusaka.
Speaking during his tour of duty in Kalabo district over the weekend, Mr Kafwabulula, however, said he was happy with the construction of the Mongu-Kalabo road as it has the potential of boosting the economy in the district.
Mr Kafwabulula noted that despite the low maize production during 2015 and 2016 farming season, the FRA has enough maize stocks in its sheds to feed the people in the area throughout the year.
He also disclosed that this year’s maize marketing season would be a challenge as there were high expectations of stiff competition between government and the maize briefcase buyers.
And Western Provincial Marketing Coordinator, Nyambe Nawa, told ZANIS that the FRA would embark on purchasing maize for 2016 as soon as the moisture content reduces.
Government recently announced an increase on the purchase of a 50 kilogram bag of white maize from K75 to K85 aiming at improving the livelihood of farmers in the country.
EVEN WHEN MAIZE IS BOUGHT TO KALABO, ONLY THOSE IN PF WILL RECEIVE THE MAIZE. THIS EVIL IS KILLING OUR DISTRICT.
buhata wena UPND thief
People of Kalabo will now eat the hideous overpriced $350m road going nowhere!
Its a known fact that for Kalabo especially Sikongo the aspiring candidate on PF ticket has personalised the relief maize by dissolving the district emergency prepared ness committee in the DMMU by using his cadres and making sure that only the places where he is popular get maize. Now he hasn’t even resigned as a DC but he is running as a candidate
Can the ECZ please disqualify this man for breaching the electoral Code of Conduct IMMEDIATELY!
This type of nonsense is why the election results will be challenged and has the potential to set Zambia on fire!