Government has accepted the proposal by the Millers Association of Zambia to allow millers with their own maize to export 20 percent of their mealie meal.
Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo said that the move is in line with the policy directive that the government will only be dealing with millers who buy their own maize from farmers.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Katambo reminded millers eyeing strategic grain reserves held by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) that the stored commodity is meant for relief purposes only.
He disclosed that so far, export permits for maize and mealie meal of up to 100 Thousand metric tonnes have been issued under the Early Maize Export Programme which ran between June 2020 and February 2021.
Mr. Katambo stressed that maize and mealie meal exports in Zambia are currently regulated, as the primary focus of government is to ensure the country is food secure.
The Agriculture Minister noted that Zambia is food-secure and has maize stocks to last up to end of October 2021.
Mr. Katambo also assured that mealie meal prices in the country will remain stable and are expected to start reducing towards the end of April.
And Millers Association of Zambia President Andrew Chintala has expressed gratitude to government for accepting the association’s proposal to allow millers with their own maize to export 20 percent.
Mr. Chintala described the mealie meal export programme as a win-win initiative that will allow millers to continue accessing maize on the market.
We have good vast agricultural land, why don’t we increase production of maize so that I can also export freely? I also need forex. Why just give to the chosen few? Why should we always be discriminated against?
GET A HAMMER MILL AND BECOME A MILLER
OR JUST PAY LUNCH MONEY AT THE CROSSING OR HAND OVER POINT
AFTER ALL IT IS A FREE FOR ALL BUT DONT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT PF CADRE CARD
As if they have the capacity to monitor this…they just want cadres and GBM to sell FRA maize stocks then quickly enforce the ban again!!
How would we know what 20 percent is before harvest time?
Most importantly, why is our government failing to think creatively? Surely, we can’t be the only ones thinking it takes as little an effort as allocating a large piece of land for agriculture produce close to the border with DRC. A million hectares if you will, use ZNS and unemployed youths to farm it, get private transporters to deliver to the DRC.
Create employment and earn forex.
Great negotiation. Its Friday and I am in the mood to celebrate life. A bbq can be nice this weekend. Who is with me ?
Earlier, it was maize and now its Mealie Meal. The farmers are getting export options. This is a good sign that we are producing surplus and exporting the agriculture products. It is the way to add to foreign exchange reserve and strengthen the economy.
This is the indication that Zambia’s food security has been achieved. It is the result of visionary policies of President Lungu, to diversify agriculture sector.
Before habitually criticising the decision, take note of what Millers Association of Zambia President Andrew Chintala has to say. He has expressed gratitude for the decision. Now, don’t try to teach the game to the champion. Got it?
This is the tight slap on the face of critiques. Still, they will not mend their ways. The government should not pay any heed to them and continue with the great work.
It is not for the chosen few. Anyone can enter into export of Maize. You are free to produce as much as you can and export it. No one will stop you.
This is called the pro farmers decision making. This will not only help the farmers but also the traders. This is the time to explore opportunities in export business.
This happens when a visionary and statesman is at the helm of affairs. Dedication to people and urge to work for nation is seen in every decision President Lungu takes. God bless you sir.
MARGE MARY AND RUTH PUPPETS WHO ARE TOLD TO BLOG
HOW OBVIOUS IT THAT
IF ONE TAKES NOTE
OMG THERE ARE SOME REALLY SAD AND DELUSIONED BLOGGERS ON HERE
VISIONARY ?????? WHF GREAT WORK ??
A MILLION HECTARES AND USE ZNS ???
I’M STUNNED AND SADDEN FOR PIPO BLABBING BEFORE THEY THINK
WHEN THERE IS A SURPLUS ITS OBVIOUS AND NO ROCKET SCIENCE TO THINK OF EXPORTS
Firstly how to Know that he or she is exporting 20%?.secondly
Better to come up with another
Way to export.lets first reduce price of mealiemeal on local market.give export permit to milling companies who are selling
At low prices locally.
1. This is total rubbish…..how are they going to monitor the total production, say per month to know if they are complying to the 20%
2. Why do that if the Price is too high for the staple food currently….this is likely going to cause shortage and subsequent increase in the price