ZAMBIA STILL IN ONION SHORTAGE, SAYS SIKUNYONGANA

ZAMBIA Fruits and Vegetables president Bernard Sikunyongana says the country is still experiencing a shortage of onion.

He said contrary to assertions by Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Jervis Zimba that the country is self-sufficient in onion, the commodity is still scarce on the market.

In an interview, Mr Sikunyongana said claims by Mr Zimba are false and misleading.

“As fruits and vegetables traders, we are disappointment over the statement made by Zambia National Farmers Union president Jervis Zimba that Zambia is self-sufficient in onion, this is not true, there is still a shortage on the market.

Mr Zimba should stop lying to himself and misleading the President as well as the people, it is not true that the country has not imported the commodity in the past two years,” he said.

He said between March, April, and May the country face a shortage of the commodity and many traders resort to importing.

He said the commodity only become available between June and July as this is when farmers start harvesting.

Mr Sikunyongana has since urged government to empower onion farmers with irrigation system to ensure continued growth and supply of the commodity.

Recently, Mr Zimba said Zambia is now self-sufficient in onion.

Mr. Zimba said farmers have increased production of onion and are now satisfying the local market.

Speaking at Damust farm in Mkushi when President Hakainde Hichilema inspected the planting of onion on an 80 hectare plot, Mr. Zimba thanked the government for not allowing the importation of onion.

He said the support has helped farmers to increase production.

Mr Zimba said farmers have the capacity to grow the commodity on a larger scale.