APA-Lusaka (Zambia) The Zambian government has banned the export of maize and mealie meal, citing fears of a possible poor harvest following a prolonged dry spell across the country.
Agriculture Minister Reuben said exports of maize and mealie meal would be restricted until further notice as a precautionary measure to safeguard the country’s food security until the next harvest expected around April.
“Owing to the prevailing situation, the government will continue to put the interest of the country above everything else,” Phiri told parliament in an update on Zambia’s food security situation late Tuesday.
He added: “In this regard, it has restricted the export of maize grain and mealie meal.”
Like most of its southern African neighbours, Zambia has experienced a prolonged period with punishing heat and no meaningful rainfall since mid-January.
This has seen crops in most parts of the country suffering moisture stress, raising fears of a poor harvest during the 2023/24 farming seasons that ends in April.
Phiri said the export restriction would only be lifted after a careful assessment of the next harvest.
He announced that soldiers have been deployed along the country’s border to ensure there are no illegal exports, while the police would intensify patrols and roadblocks to catch those transporting maize to border areas.
JN/APA