The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has urged government to closely monitor and build reliance with the Food Reserve Agency to prevent further mealie meal shortages in the country.

In a statement released to Money FM News, JCTR Centre Deputy Director Alex Muyebe said inability to closely monitor the Agency has the potential to cause a sustained high price of the commodity in the long term.

“Given the high levels of poverty experienced in the country, it is imperative that government increases the allocation of funds towards social protection to cushion the vulnerable households, specifically safety nets programs such as food or income transfer and nutrition programs focused on the poor and the marginalized in our communities,’’ He said.

He further added that “Government must priorities investment in the agricultural sector, especially in irrigational technologies and in crop diversification to promote drought resistant crops for this will contribute to addressing prolonged dry spells that are becoming a common occurrence in some parts of the country.”