Govt assures nation of adequate maize stocks as concerns mount over food security

The Zambian government has assured citizens that the country has sufficient maize stocks to last at least six months, even without factoring in the upcoming harvests from commercial and small-scale farmers.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka on Thursday, Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, addressed growing concerns over food security due to the ongoing dry spell.

Mweetwa revealed that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) currently holds 363,000 metric tonnes of maize, while private sector stocks bring the total national reserves to 750,000 metric tonnes.

This figure, however, marked a decline from the 1.5 million metric tonnes recorded in 2022.

“The government’s interventions to ensure food security are working, with FRA community maize sales proceeding on schedule and the school feeding programme continuing uninterrupted,” Mweetwa stated.

He noted that the production of millimeter, a type of maize meal, was ongoing, though it has not yet met the country’s full demand.

Mweetwa also highlighted efforts to bolster maize supplies, including the government’s purchase of 195,000 metric tonnes of maize from Tanzania at a cost of $68 million.

Of this, 67,000 metric tonnes have been received and distributed, while 128,000 metric tonnes remain in Tanzania, awaiting transport via local transporters and TAZARA.

Furthermore, Zambia expected an additional 145,000 metric tonnes from commercial farmers under the early harvest initiative by March 2025.

“The government remains committed to ensuring that no Zambian dies from hunger, as pledged by President Hakainde Hichilema,” Mweetwa affirmed, promising regular updates on the food security situation.

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