• We must be moving in steadily to satisfy the demand in the region without threatening local food security.
• Immediately lift the ban on maize exports by exporting a certain threshold.
• The regional demand has caused the price of the commodity to skyrocket.

A Political Party has repeated calls for government to consider lifting the ban on maize exports by exporting a certain threshold without threatening the local market.
Golden Party Zambia (GPZ) President Jackson Silavwe told Money FM News that government should immediately set up a National Milling Company under the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) for local steady supply of Mealie-meal and curb price distortions on the local market.
Mr. Silavwe noted that meeting the regional demand for maize meal can be used to bring in the much needed foreign currency to strengthen the Kwacha and help offset some debts, because the demand for maize grain and Mealie meal in the region has been a perennial problem for Zambia.
“Ordinarily as a country we must be moving in steadily to satisfy the demand in the region without threatening our local food security. The demand for maize grain and Mealie meal in the region has been a perennial problem for Zambia. The regional demand has caused the price of the commodity to skyrocket, making it impossible for most Zambians to afford.”
“Once again, we call on the Government to immediately lift the ban on maize exports by exporting a certain threshold without threatening the local market. Immediately upgrade small scale local farmers to medium and large scale farmers in identified provinces and districts by providing basic machinery such as tractors, harvesters and a robust support system of extension services,” Mr. Silavwe said.
He said government must also set up a task force on agriculture to maximize maize cultivation in provinces and districts expected to receive normal rainfall in the 2021/2022 farming season.
Mr. Silavwe further advised government to command the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to increase maize production in the 2021/2022 farming season.
He said government must take decisive action to meet the regional demand for maize both in the short and long term basis.
“ZNS should also build strategic storage facilities for local food security so that private millers and traders can supply the regional market and beyond,” he advised.