CTPD tells government to lift ban on maize exports

Centre for Trade Policy  and Development (CTPD) Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo has advised government to urgently lift the ban on the export of maize.

Mr. Mwaipopo has charged that delays to lift the ban is hampering investments in the agriculture sector which he says can immensely contribute to the Zambia’s economic growth as opposed to relying on the mining sector.

According to Mr. Mwaipopo,  the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) Maize reserves stand at over three hundred and fifty thousand metric tons while the private sector reserves for the same commodity stands at over one hundred and twenty thousand metric tons.

The Centre for Trade Policy  and Development (CTPD) executive director says the reserves are adequate to cater for the country food security even when part of it is exported.

He says further delays to lift the ban is robbing the country of the much needed foreign exchange.

Meanwhile Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) Vice President Charles Kafumbo has echoed CTPD’s call on government to lift the ban on the export of maize.

Mr. Kafumbo has charged that Zambia is losing out  on Forex owing to the continued ban on the export of maize as there is huge potential market for the commodity which unfortunately is not utilized.