‘ALLOW FARMERS TO EXPORT MAIZE’

GOVERNMENT should allow commercial farmers to export maize to neighbouring markets to encourage the adoption of winter maize, former Vice President Enock Kavindele has said.

Mr Kavindele said commercial farmers buy farming inputs at market prices and use equipment such as tractors and combine harvesters among others therefore the K110 per 50 kg bag of white maize announced by the Food Reserve Agency may not be attractive.

"Government should look at the possibility of allowing commercial farmers who buy inputs at market prices to grow maize for export markets. It is not fair for those that are receiving subsidised inputs and those that buy at market price to sell to FRA at the same price," Mr Kavindele said.

Mr Kavindele said allowing commercial farmers to export maize will earn the country the much-needed foreign exchange.

He said commercial farmers have a lot of farming equipment and could produce six times more than they were doing now if allowed to export.

He said most commercial farmers had now resorted to growing animal feed “hay” because it fetches more money than maize.

"Commercial farmers have now resorted to growing cattle feed because it is fetching more money with very little inputs than maize and this may negatively impact on the country's food security," Mr Kavindele said.

He said government was buying a 50kg bag of white maize at K110 while 50kg bag of Hay was pegged at K200.

Mr Kavindele also commended the government for early delivery of farming inputs to Southern and Eastern provinces.

He said early delivery of farming inputs would boost agricultural production as it would enable farmers to prepare adequately for the 2020/2021 farming season.

"I would like to commend Government for delivering farming inputs, this is a demonstration of the government's commitment to improving agricultural production to enhance food security," Mr Kavindele said.