The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has cautioned government that it risks plunging the country into a national food crisis if it remains adamant on the K75.00 maize floor price.
CSPR Information and Communications Officer Maxson Nkhoma says government’s insistence on the K75 per 50kg bag of maize is a serious threat to national food security as government will not be able to get the required tonnage of maize for strategic reserves.
Mr. Nkhoma says while his organization appreciates government’s decision to allow the private sector to play an active role in maize marketing, the maize flow price of K75 per 50kg bag is a mockery to farmers.
He says most farmers in the country have already started selling their maize at prices of between K75 and K85 to private businesses people.
Mr Nkhoma adds that the private sector has responded very well to government’s request for them to take an active role in maize marketing particularly in border towns such as, Katete, Chipata and Lundazi where the price of maize is already fetching as high as K120 per 50kg bag.
He has since appealed to government to take into serious consideration the request by the farming community to raise the maize flow price.