The suspension on the export of Mealie meal is likely to drive Zambia off the trading market with other countries and increase price volatility in the commodity, says the National Union for Small Scale farmers in Zambia.
During the 3 – day Agritech expo themed “growing knowledge of the future” held in Chisamba in April 2019, President Edgar Lungu directed the Ministry of Agriculture to immediately suspend the export of mealie-meal until Zambia takes stock of the food reserves following the dry spells experienced in some parts of the country.
And NUSSFZ Chief executive officer Dr Frank Kayula told Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that closing borders for small scale farmers in a small market like Zambia will invite the prospect of significant price volatility hence the need for government to keep markets open to sustain the incentives for farmers to engage in maize production.
Dr. Kayula said government should instead regulate the export of Maize and Mealie-meal as suspending the ban will make it difficult for the private sector to undertake investment decisions.
He said it is considerate that Zambia needs to secure food reserves as a nation, but there is need to consider importing from cheaper sources to ensure that the private sector can keep their supply agreement with outsiders as opposed to suspending the ban.
“One day will reach a situation where buyers will say Zambia is unstable and will not rely on us to purchase the commodity hence, they’ll forget about us and farmers will not have access to foreign markets in order to increase their income,” he said.
He adds that the union notes government’s efforts to improve the private sectors players situation in the country adding that more of that is needed not only for employment but for farmers to be able to get the crop.
Dr Kayula has however called on government trough the Ministry of Agriculture to reconsider the ban on mealie meal as it likely to close the trading space for small holder farmers with other countries.
He has also advised farmers to get ready to harvest and not be carried away by the stability of prices adding that there’s need to maintain their food security while conducting their businesses to lessen the burden of having shortage of maize in the country.
