The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) says there is need for the government to uplift the maize/mealie meal export ban quickly to enable sales to take place as the country prepares for the next marketing season,
According to the ZNFU weekly brief obtained by Money FM News, the request was made when ZNFU President Jervis Zimba met with the Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo to strategise on strengthened collaboration and how to revamp the agriculture sector together.
Mr. Zimba says there is further need for Government to prioritize funding for the agriculture sector so that come marketing time farmers will be paid on time and inputs positioned on time at planting time.
He says they also discussed the need for credible data to guide policy decisions such as declaring a surplus through the crop forecast then banning grain exports as this is sending conflicting market signals.
He says the other issues looked at was the importation of agriculture products taking place at the expense of expanding local production when the country should be harnessing production at all costs.
“Farmers are facing financial distress due to policy inconsistencies and external factors resulting in foreclosures. The tobacco industry, a commodity which is a leading foreign exchange earner is now gripped with uncertainty. New costs imposed by new Statutory Bodies threatening the viability of farming hence the need to reposition the sector for growth,” he said.
The meeting was also an opportunity to ‘meet’ with the newly appointed Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture Songowayo Zyambo.