Movement for Multiparty Democracy MMD has called for consistency in the policy of crop marketing so as to ensure predictability in the marketing of crops.
Commenting on the announcement that the country has recorded yet another bumper harvest, Party National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda said there is need for government to have predictable policies in the marketing of crop so as to allow the participation of the private sector in the buying and selling of the crop.
Mr Nakacinda said government should allow the private sector to pick on the market that they desired to service as opposed to restricting them to supplying to the local market.
“Obviously we know that government through the food reserve agency (FRA) will participate in the purchase of maize though with limitation as regards the amount of maize that they will buy owing to financial and space limitations which lives a bigger chunk to the private sector hence the need to allow them to sell the crop were they feel they will make more money.
“Without a conducive environment the private sector will shy away from participating in the marketing which in the end will not only affect small scale farmers who do not know were to sale their excessive crop but to government as well as it will miss out on earning the much needed FOREX,” he said.
Mr Nakacinda said the policy inconsistencies discourage some players who have been affected in the past.
He urged Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya to stick to user friendly policies so that private participants can get attracted in a serene market environment.
Mr Nakacinda said the inconsistency in policy by government has discouraged some players in the private sector from taking part in the marketing season because they are either are forced to sale their crop on the local market or wait for government to lift the export bans that they institute.
The MMD has further advised that in future crop marketing seasons government must manage the bans more efficiently thereby striking a balance between private sector participation and curbing practices that threaten food security.
“We urge the minister to stick to her policy which she has announced so that there is predictability in the marketing of this year’s crop. This culture of ministers announcing that they have lifted the ban only for another minister to change the stance should come to end forthwith because it discourages potential participants in the sector. Cabinet should have a consistent position on matters of national interest because they are a team and they should be pulling in the same direction,” said the MMD CEO.
shameless w.h.o.l.e! She is a thief…
The Inconsistency also brings Massive Corruption as is the case here. After Dora went to Angola and struck a massive grain deal she then lifted the Ban. More Range Rovers … Thank you Poor Zambians
How many MPs does MMD have? Three, I hear. They therefore do not even have a mandate to fart in Zambia.
Lungu informed the nation and entire world he has no plan of his own. Today we have the rise of the corrupt regime that we voted out of office bringing the same policies that were the source and springboard for corruption.
LUNGU KUYA BEBELE . NEVER USE PF but MMD. CB, LUAPULA, NORTHERN, MUCHINGA, LUSAKA AND CENTRAL NO LUNCU BEYOND 2021. WE NEED THE REAL GREEN PF WHO UNDERSTAND THE PRO POOR AS OUR LATE FOUNDER KING COBRA PREACHED AND ACTED ON. LUNCU IS FOR THE CORRUPT AND MOST POWERFUL. INDENI , ZNBC ARE GONE
Lungu too corrupt and power angry. Lungu lied he said he was the disciple of Late King cobra . What a lie from schizorphinic person, Sata was different and a seasoned politician who used to forgive those who wronged him and tame big mouth Mumbi phiri. Lungu and your minion you touch Jnr King Cobra or Musenge , MMD govern disguised as PF under Lungu you are finished. ONCE CB IS GONE THE REST ARE GONE. KING COBRA AND HIS COMRADES GUY SCOTT; JNR COBRA MILE SAMPA, KAMBIMBA; GBM, MULENGA SATA, DR KASEBA, THE POST , MEEMBE AND THOSE FOUNDERS WILL GOOD WILL SPENT ENERGY AND TIME ON CB BECAUSE THEY KNEW WELL . TOUCH CB SOULS AND MINDS YOU WILL RULE ZAMBIA. LUNCU IS LIKE RUPHIA THEY HAD TAKEN OVER FOR SOMETHING THEY HAVE NEVER FORMED OR BE PART OF FOUNDING MEMBERS AND THEIR APPROACH IS CORRUPTION…