The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection – JCTR has stated that it is imperative for Government to put in place appropriate measures and interventions to address the high cost of living which is subsequently perpetuating hunger in the country. JCTR stated that the cost of living for a family of five living in Lusaka increased by K 231.19 from K5, 979.57 in July to K6, 210.76 in August showing a 3.9% increase.
The centre has noted with great concern the continued rise in cost of living which has become a distress to many Zambians especially among the marginalized who are already struggling to afford a decent living hence compromising enjoyment of human dignity.
Releasing the Centre’s Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket – BNB for the month of August 2019, JCTR notes that the current happenings in the country should be of concern as the cost of living for a family of five living in Lusaka increased by K 231.19 from K5, 979.57 in July to K6, 210.76 in August showing a 3.9% increase.
The upward shift in the cost of living was due to rise in prices of some food items. The price of rice increased from K97.48 per 5kg in July to K107.87per 5 kg in August, Beans increased from K25.29 per Kg in July to K33.71 per kg in August and kapenta increased from K181.62 per kg in July to K188.68 per Kg in August. The increase in the price of these food items was mainly due to the reduced availability of the commodities on the market.
In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by JCTR Programmes Officer Chanda Chileshe, the centre has further noted the need to invest in alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind and biogas to widen sources of energy adding the current power deficit has also contributed the high cost of living.
Meanwhile, JCTR has also noted the need to step up delivery of relief food to regions that are adversely affected by hunger and put in place measures that will enhance promotion, production and consumption of local foods.
“We need to actualize crop diversification and increase production of drought resistant food crops such as millet, sorghum, cassava and sweet potatoes. Crop diversification is vital in ensuring food security especially now that we are experiencing drought which is affecting crop production and subsequently causing hunger especially among the poor. Further, it is high time that there was a deliberate move to bring about a mind-set shift to encourage many Zambians to take up agriculture as one of the major economic activities,” JCTR
