Kaypro Research Institute of Zambia (KRI) says it expects this year’s maize harvest to be slightly better than the last season despite some maize fields having been washed away by heavy rains Institute Chief Executive Officer Dr Frank Kayula told Money FM News in an interview that last year the country barely survived due to poor harvest but that this time around the situation will be different because there are still some maize stocks available.
“This year it won’t be as bad as it was last year, last year we barely survived but of course we still have sufficient maize around, although business people are trying to thrive over certain policy decisions that have been made and policy pronouncements which have made people think that the country does not have enough maize,” Dr Kayula said.
Dr Kayula, however, said the available maize is barely enough for the country hence the need for government to allow the private sector to import for re-export and for the country’s consumption.
“Our appeal is that the Government should allow those who want to import even for re-export as well as for use in this country. The government cannot be doing the importation, but can allow the private sector to import for re-export and for the country’s consumption,” he added.