Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The cost of living for a family of five in Lusaka as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for the month of June, 2022 has increased to K9,301.46 from K9,293.04 recorded in May 2022, an increase of K8.42.
JCTR Social and Economic Development Programme Manager, Chama Bowa says the minimal upward movement in the basket was largely driven by price increases in the non-food items section.
Ms. Bowa states that the rise in the June cost of living was largely influenced by the increased price of charcoal possibly due to the heightened demand of the commodity given the cold season.
And Ms. Bowa has recommended that government considers reintroducing the suspension of import duties on some production inputs such as edible oils to ease the cost of production as well as address the cost of living in the country.
She has noted that with poor incomes, households are struggling to meet basic needs of health, education, water, sanitation and food.
Ms Bowa says to mitigate price increases that are a result of importation bans, government through the Ministry of Agriculture should explore two pronged measures that will enable the balancing of imports and the need to boost local production using a multisectoral approach.
She has also noted the need to address the quality, reliability and adequacy of local farmer supplies and also explore and strategize on how local producers will tap into markets beyond Zambia.