The government has agreed to suspend the importation of onion and potatoes into the country until further notice following the complaint raised by the Zambia National Farmers Union over the flooding over the local market with the commodities that can be produced locally.
The Zambia Farmer’s Union (ZNUF) President Jervis Zimba has warned that over K23 million worth of onions in the Country risk going to waste if the government does not address the continued importation of these commodities.
But Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Green Mbozi said that his Ministry had a meeting with ZNFU where it was agreed that the suspension of these commodities should be effected until further notice.
Mr. Mbozi said the desire of the government is to ensure that the interests of local farmers in the Country are protected.
Yesterday,ZNFU said that it was concerned that over K23 million worth of onions will go to waste and is deeply disturbed by the continued authorization of importation of onions and potatoes into the country by the ministry of agriculture even when the country has the commodity in abundance.
ZNFU President Jervis Zimba said that despite the Union engaging the ministry over the issue of importation of commodities that can be grown within the country, among them onions and potatoes, no favourable response has been given on this matter as importation of onions has continued unabated.
Mr Zimba said that as a result of this, the country risks having over K23 million worth of onions going to waste if the matter remains unaddressed.
He had since demanded that the Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo-Phiri clearly states whether he would like to see the country continue being a net importer of commodities that can readily be produced locally.
Mr Zimba is further appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to intervene in this matter before farmers lose out adding that the local strides being made to grow agriculture products locally should be nurtured and not frustrated.
I’m yet to see a potato processing facility in Zambia where the farm produce is thoroughly washed, graded into sizes and then properly packaged for market. That is why Zambian potatoes fail to compete with the imported ones.
If anything, the imported potatoes are generally more expensive. So why should the local farmers be worried and call for restrictions?
This is Zambia for us. I foresee a sharp rise in prices for the two crops sooner or later. What happened the last time onions and potatoes’ importation was banned? Maybe this time the local suppliers will be able to satisfy the local market adequately
Let’s hope we will not be sold malnourished onions and potatoes.
#3Â Â Deja Vu
 February 22, 2022 At 3:12 pm
“Let’s hope we will not be sold malnourished onions and potatoes..”
Instead of wasiting your time ponterring on LT …………..
get going and plat onions and potatoes……….
Ehhhh……badala ……the whole day on
LT ???
gov needs to consult us comsumers before these guys start exergerating prices.and let Congo do the same so that we see how some of these farmers will survive.
Even potatoes, Zambians will starve.
Styupid idyots.
Now we shall see skyrocketing prices of onions and potatoes . Is government just concerned about farmers or consumers as well. Why didn’t they put conditions like fixed prices on onions and potatoes before succumbing to farmers demands.
ZNFU should be encouraging Zambian farmers to produce both for the local market and for export and not compelling government to ban the importation of onions and potatoes. Farmers should learn to be reliable suppliers of the onions and potatoes which should be well packaged. There are also regional markets for farm produce from Zambia as long as our farmers with support from ZNFU can supply in a reliable and adequate manner with proper packaging. Compete with the imported onions and potatoes. How will Zambia earn forex is it is not willing to export and compete with other firms within the region. These protective measures are long gone. Work hard and let Zambian farmers proudly demonstrate that they can survive even when some farm produce is imported!!!
For me, What is critical is to ascertain demand and supply for these commodities throughout the year for Zambia. the decision to import or not must be based on availability of the commodities at a particular time and not ability to produce. Banning imports when commodity is not available on the market/country would create a shortage thereby price increases. Imports may actually benefit local farmers when you look at the exchange rate now. imports will be more expensive than locally produced crops and therefore, consume will go for the local products depending on the quality.
#4 Spaka… actually I don’t buy tomatoes, onions, maize, maize products. I grow them at home and at the farm. Your advice is good but it’s come too late hahaha
As always government is listening to the farmers. How about listening to consumers for a change? There are a lot more consumers than farmers! Zambian potatoes and onions are a LOT worse quality than South African crops. So Zambian consumers will have to pay DOUBLE the price for LOUSY produce! Thank you very much New Dawn government! NOT!
I support this especially with onions as there are not that many varieties only two mainly used in Zambia the red and white…but when it comes to potatoes this is a whole different ball game remember that the potatoe you use for chipping is not the same one you use for boiling or mashing or baking. I think govt needs to encourage the supermarkets, hotels and the franchise resturants to work with the farmers…this is where the ZFU comes in.
I support this especially with onions as there are not that many varieties only two mainly used in Zambia the red and white… but when it comes to potatoes this is a whole different ball game remember that the potatoe you use for chipping is not the same one you use for boiling or mashing or baking. I think govt needs to encourage the supermarkets, hotels and the franchise resturants to work with the farmers…this is where the ZFU comes in.
comment is awaiting moderation
I think the long overdue action has been to assess all the produce we can grow and process on our own, what we can make on our own or assemble and then move on to this when we are ready but certainly. We have wasted decades without self-sufficiency progress, all in the name of total liberalisation (allowing for anything that goes and whatever will be will be – and hence leaving most people at the mercy of profiteers at any cost) A lot of the western countries whose capitalism we try and emulate have allowed free trade (albeit with tariff controls) only because they can’t make or grow everything they need. I don’t think we are incapable of growing quality produce and processing some of it through the creation of relevant industries. Why have we been training all those agriculturists and…