IT is heartening to note that the Government is concerned about the pricing of mealie-meal to ensure that it is affordable by an average Zambian earning a minimum wage.
We have been following the apprehension by the Government which is highly cautious of what an unjustifiable increase of this essential commodity would entail.
At the same time, the Government is wary of the free market forces that dictate the cost of commodities and services.
Thus we have received the level-headedness of millers over the recent announcement of a further reduction in the wholesale price of mealie-meal from a maximum of K61 for Breakfast meal to K56 per 25kg bag.
This came with an assurance from the Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda that the wholesale price of Roller meal would not exceed K37 per 25kg bag.
Mr Lubinda told Parliament in a ministerial statement that the reduction in mealie-meal prices was arrived at after consultation between his ministry and the millers.
He explained that the reduction was as a result of Government’s decision to allow the Food Reserve Agency to offload maize on the domestic market at a subsidised price from K76 per 50kg bag of maize to K65.
Mr Lubinda said the new prices for mealie-meal have been arrived at in view of the fact that some of the millers were still holding on to maize procured at higher prices than the subsidised price, and that Government would from time to time review this position.
So far there has been an amiable relationship between the Government and millers going by the willingness of the two parties to dialogue and come up with a solution of mutual benefit.
Mr Lubinda also assured the nation that the Government would continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the benefit of the reduction in mealie-meal prices was passed on to consumers.
Others like the Zambia Consumer Association executive secretary Samuel Simutunda have commended Government for intervening to reduce the price of mealie-meal.
We feel the price of mealie meal can still be reduced further considering that fuel prices have drastically reduced.
Millers should understand the goodwill of the Government in keeping a keen eye on the commodity bearing in mind its political connotations.
As a staple food in a country whose dietary habits are conservative, the cost of mealie meal calls for level-headedness to avoid a sandpapery relationship among different stakeholders who are concerned with its production and even consumption.
History in this country attests to what happens if the issue of the staple food is mishandled, especially when consultation and dialogue are disregarded.
It is so with all staple foods globally. For Europeans it is largely wheat, for Asians it is rice, regionally it is maize and potatoes which are touchy subjects.
Governments handle production of these foods which usually happen to be rich in carbohydrates with care to ensure there is a constant supply.
Some countries heavily subsidise production of these staple foods while others give incentives to growers of these essential crops.
In Zambia, there has been a cordial, though sometimes rocky, relationship among all stakeholders involved in the growth of maize who include farmers, millers, Government and consumers.
However, with the continued consultations between the Government and several stakeholders, especially millers, we feel the issue of mealie-meal is ably being harnessed by all parties to ensure the product is affordable by all the Zambians. OPINION