Zambian Official Alarmed as Kenyans Purchase Unharvested Maize
A Zambian government official expressed concern about the country’s impending food shortage as a result of Kenyan purchasers’ massive purchase of maize grain, including entire unharvested fields.
Wednesday, July 12th, Nakonde District Commissioner Marvelous Sikapizye disclosed to the local press that the majority of farmers in his district chose to sell their produce to Kenyans at a higher price than the rate offered by Zambia’s Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
“Kenya is currently purchasing maize from farmers in Nakonde for K600 per kilogram, and the majority of farmers have already sold their maize to them.” Now that Kenyans are purchasing maize from these farmers, we have more producers selling maize to Kenyans than to the FRA.
The commissioner stated, as reported by the Zambian Monitor, that the FRA has not yet begun purchasing maize because it is still awaiting the moisture content. However, Kenyans have already begun purchasing.
Some of the farmers, according to Sikapizye, have already sold their unharvested maize for Ksh 4,654 (Zambian Kwacha 600) per 50 kg sack. Compared to the Ksh2,172 (Kwacha 288) offered by FRA, this is a significantly more attractive proposition.
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Consequently, the majority of farmers decided to transfer their maize to Kenya, putting the country’s nutritional future at risk.
“Kenyans purchase the entire field of maize before it is ripe, without waiting to bag it. Last year, Kenyans purchased K800. Therefore, we have been encouraging people to retain their corn and not sell it all, as they will remain hungry otherwise. We worry about food security,” he continued.
He noted that Zambians experienced a food shortage at the end of 2022 as a result of Kenya’s efforts to increase its reserves. A 50kg sack cost Ksh6,206 (Kwacha 800) at the time.
Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi signed an agreement with a foreign government to lease maize-growing properties in March when Kenya was experiencing a severe maize shortage that drove up prices to record levels.
“I am pleased that the Zambian government has consented to provide land to Kenyan farmers for large-scale agriculture in Zambia. To increase our food supply and security, Kenyan farmers will be required to export their harvests back home, as stated by Linturi.
As a result of opposition leader Saboi Imboela’s complaint that the Zambian government prioritized Kenyan farmers over Zambian farmers, a tempest soon erupted in Zambia.
Instead, he desired to empower the nation’s producers to cultivate maize for both domestic and international consumption.
Shortly thereafter, Zambia breached the agreement. Situmbeko Musokotwane, the finance minister of Zambia, stated that the country would not export maize to Kenya due to a cereal shortage.
Zambian Official Alarmed as Kenyans Purchase Unharvested Maize
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