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Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda
Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda has assured maize farmers in Zambia that maize markets will still be available for the 2015/2016 crop despite the increasing input costs that farmers are currently experiencing.
The Agriculture Minister said this when Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) President, Dr Evelyn Nguleka and her team presented an Issues paper on the increasing costs of maize production for the 2015/2016 crop at his office.
Mr. Lubinda has assured maize farmers that government will allow market forces of demand and supply to operate in order to ensure farmers get a better price for their crop.
Mr. Lubinda has observed that farming is a business and government will continue to provide a conducive environment aimed at encouraging further investment in the sector.
Speaking during the same meeting, Agriculture deputy Minister Maxus Ng’onga says borders are open for the export of early maize.
Mr. Ng’onga has also called on farmers that had exportable surpluses to obtain permits and access the regional markets for better price.
This is contained in the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) Weekly Brief made available to QFM News today.