ZACA cautions against export of maize before 2015 harvest

The Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) has cautioned government against rushing to export excess grain stored by the Food Reserve Agency before the projected 2015 bumper maize harvest is realized.

ZACA Executive Secretary Samuel Simutunda has told QFM News that government must not be too quick to export maize in view of the unprecedented poor rainfall pattern recorded in most parts of the country.

Mr. Simutunda says government should tread carefully on issues of food security to avoid putting the country in a compromised situation.

He says it would be sad and wrong for the country to export maize before even the projected bumper harvest is realized.

Mr Simutunda has advised government wait until after the harvest and there is enough for everyone before contemplating exporting the excess.

Mr. Simutunda says government should have the interest of the people of Zambia first before anything else and thus whatever decisions it makes should benefit the people of Zambia.

Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda has said Government is already relishing strategy to get rid of the excess maize at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in order to create room for the 2015 crop