. Lubinda

By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
STAKEHOLDERS responsible for the food chain have reassured the nation that Zambia has enough food contrary to reports that there is a shortage of mealie-meal.
The stakeholders, among them, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) and Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU), have indicated  that Zambia was food secure.
Featuring on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) television, Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda reassured consumers of food security in the country.
Mr Lubinda said there was enough food from the 2014/15 farming season.
“I want to safely say that we are food secure as a country.  We have enough food which is a carry over stock from the 2014/15 farming season.
“It is enough to take us to August this year, without the harvest for 2016,” he said.
ZNFU president Evelyn Nguleka also assured the nation that farmers had done their best in as far as food production was concerned.
Dr Nguleka said farmers had produced enough not only for local consumption but for export purposes as well.
“As farmers, we have done our utmost best. This country is food secure and we have produced enough not only to feed Zambians but also for export,” Dr Nguleka said.
She said currently, the country had close to 800,000 tonnes of maize in stock, which was not only with FRA, but with ZNFU farmers and millers themselves.
GTAZ secretary, Chambuleni Simwinga said traders had  enough grain to export, but  that they had slowed  down in exports in a bid to help Government in view of the alleged mealie-meal shortage.
“We are holding on to about 200,000 tonnes of maize which has not been exported. And this means that we are secure and maize stocks will take us through even past August,” Mr Simwinga said.
FRA executive director, Chola Kafwabulula said the agency had over 100 contracts with millers for the supply of maize and that about 100,000 tonnes of maize was being released on average.
Mr Kafwabulula said FRA was holding 560,000 tonnes of maize which meant that the country had enough stocks to go up to August 2016.
“So when we talk about the country having enough stocks, it is a reality as my colleagues have all already alluded to. So what we are seeing on the ground is mere speculation,” Mr Kafwabulula said.