Don’t sell maize fields, says Chongwe MP
FARMERS must not sell maize fields to exploitative traders because they may end up giving away the grain cheaply, Chongwe Member of Parliament Japhen Mwakalombe has warned.
He observed that selling maize fields was a threat to national and household food security and as such must be stopped.
Mr Mwakalombe said this when he addressed residents of Mulalika village in Lwimba ward where he handed over 180 bags of mealie meal to 90 households.
The mealie meal was in 12.5 kg packs.
He said that the practice would deprive the families of the hard earned produce.
Mr Mwakalombe observed that the practice was mostly done by men without the consent of their wives.
He advised the female residents to stand up and save the produce which was a result of their sweat.
Mr Mwakalombe, who is also Copperbelt Minister, warned that if the practice was left to continue, it would lead to food shortages in the area.
He said that the briefcase maize buyers were taking advantage of the people’s desperation and buying the maize at a very low price.
Mr Mwakalombe said that it was for this reason that farmers must wait for Government to set the floor price and sell the grain to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
He told the residents that Government was committed to ensuring that food security was enhanced through the Farmer Input Supply Programme and farmers should show appreciation by treasuring the produce.
He directed the Chongwe District Commissioner, Mr Robster Mwanza to verify the business licences of the buyers who had set up depots in the area.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwanza said that briefcase buyers must not be given any chance to disadvantage the farmers, who had laboured to produce maize.
He also thanked Government for continuing the relief food distribution and that it was critical especially with the disruption of businesses due to the outbreak of Covid-19.