By JAMES KUNDA –

. LUBINDA

ZAMBIA has enough maize stocks to avert a famine from the current drought pattern, Agriculture Minister, Given Lubinda has assured.
Mr Lubinda, allaying fears of hunger, said the country will remain food secure throughout this year as the anticipated maize harvest from provinces that have recorded normal rainfall will supplement the existing crop in the national grain reserve.
“The country currently has approximately 1,282,797 tonnes of maize as at January 19, 2016. Out of this total, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is holding 902,812 tonnes of maize.
“The private sector held 379,985 tonnes, which includes the grain traders association of Zambia and the Zambia national farmers union,” Mr Lubinda said.
The Minister was speaking in Lusaka yesterday at a press briefing on the state of food security and agriculture in the country.
Mr Lubinda said, from the quantity of maize in the FRA sheds, 708,515 tonnes were committed to the millers for domestic consumption, while 194,297 tonnes was uncommitted grain.
He said the FRA had entered into contracts with 91 millers countrywide, who were, under a special arrangement with Government, each receiving a monthly allocation of maize to produce affordable mealie-meal.
“FRA has been releasing approximately 100,000 tonnes of maize per month to millers who are participating in this programme, which is anticipated to continue until June this year.
“It is, therefore, clear that the country does have sufficient stocks of maize to take us beyond July 2016, well after the start of the 2015/2016 harvest period,” Mr Lubinda said.
He said according to the national food balance sheet, the country required approximately 125,000 tonnes of maize per month for human consumption.
Mr Lubinda said the country also required 25,000 tonnes per month for industrial usage, such as stockfeed and beverage production.
“This brings the total maize requirements per month to 150,000 tonnes.
As his Excellency (President Edgar Lungu) already stated, maize imports will be the last option the country will resort to,” Mr Lubinda said
Recently, President Lungu disclosed that the country would have to import maize to avert hunger, as the available stock could be depleted by June this year.
He, however, said no one would die of hunger, as the PF Government was doing everything possible to manage the situation
Moreover, United Party For National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema had advised Government to stop exporting maize in view of the looming hunger due to Elnino weather conditions that deprived Zambia of adequate rainfall.
Mr Hichilema said where there was more than enough stock, the Government should promote the export of value added maize products such as mealie-meal and stockfeed.