Govt advised to put a limit on export of maize

Agriculture Technical and Professional Staff Union of Zambia General Secretary Joe Kamutumwa has advised government to put a limit on the tonnage of maize to exported in view of the lifting of the export ban.

Mr. Kamutumwa says though the move by government to lift the ban is welcome, it is important that government asses how much production some neighboring countries are expected to harvest from the 2016/2017 farming season.

He notes that with the impending export of 120,000 metric tons to Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is necessary that government puts a limit on the quantity of maize to be exported.

Mr. Kamutumwa has told QTV News that the request by Angola and DRC is a sign that there is a deficit hence the need to plan for these requests before lifting the ban.

And Mr. Kamutumwa says with the bumper harvest projected, there is need for government to protect small scale farmers from exploitation especially by some traders.