Govt urged not to hide Zambia’s food security status

Makokozo Chikote

United Party For National Development, (UPND) Luampa Member of Parliament Makozo Chikote has challenged governments stance that the country has adequate food stocks to cater for vulnerable households.

Mr. Chikote says given the current harsh weather conditions which have seen some parts of the country failing to receive rains since the beginning of the rainfall season is evidence enough that there will be food insecurity in the country.

He has told q-news that due to uncertainties in rainfall patterns it is likely to impact on food production during the cropping season.

Western province is one of the provinces worst affected by El Niño-related drought.

But Mr. Chikote has wondered why Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo is trying to hide by painting a rosy picture of the country’s food security status when the situation is deteriorating.

Recently Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo announced that the country has in access of 7-hundred thousand metric tons of maize stock.