Maize marshall plan

Sat, 05 Aug 2017 10:36:46 +0000

IT is regrettable that the high level “indaba” between the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to review this year’s maize price hit a snag.

There is great need for high level intervention by the major marketing institutions to find a more productive way forward to serve the best interest of the farmers who stand to lose much as the country gravitates towards a market driven system.

It is certainly not practical to expect the government to finance the current crop. At K60 per bag the government would require K3, 100,000,000 and at K85 it would require K5, 270,000,000. This is impossible.

The nationwide expression of concern from various stakeholders at the low maize market price set by FRA, must be seen in context. 

The pressing question is: How will farmers sell their maize before the next farming season? Do they have storage capacity, let alone logistical muscle to export it?

The entire marketing structure which does not serve the best interests of the producer and ultimately the consumer has to be reviewed by those who have the experience, knowhow and acumen on how to serve the farming community.

This is a national problem that calls for a collective approach. All stakeholders  including the Grain Traders Association, FRA, ZNFU and other farmers’ unions, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Finance must put their heads together to ensure no single grain is allowed to go to waste, just as no single farmers should be made to feel worthless and uncared for because of the vulgaries of the grain marketing system.

Clearly, export remains as the most viable option if the present bumper crop is to be saved.

We would have expected that the high level meeting would have proposed  mechanisms and modalities of engaging Government to ensure that export markets are identified and logistics put in place to purchase, secure and transport the grain to needy areas, including East Africa afflicted by drought.

There is no doubt that competition to in these markets will be stiff considering that most of our neighbours have excess maize. As a nation, we must move expeditiously to secure these markets in good time. There is no time to waste.

We should implement a marshal plan to ensure that much of the 3.1 million tonnes at risk is purchased from as many producers as possible for offloading onto the foreign market.

The export price will undoubtedly be higher than the local market, therefore farmers will be able to benefit from the exercise.

The practicality of exporting maize without an intervening hand that has the logistics, outreach and capacity to ensure that the grain does not go to waste is what the “Indaba” should have brainstormed and found solutions to yesterday.

We think the bumper harvest this year should not be a curse but must be turned into a blessing. Thus all concerned parties should exercise their mind in examining and identifying the most effective manner in which the grain at national level can be bought at a reasonable price and if need be exported at a competitive price to such areas as East Africa that are afflicted by drought.

We urge the FRA board to critically consider the concerns from various stakeholders and make decisions that will not demoralise farmers. Instead, it should help the government realise its vision to make agriculture the mainstay of Zambia’s economy.