“Be truthful and help find solutions to maize shortage”

President Lungu

Political activist David Kapoma has urged politicians and other stakeholders to stop politicizing the anticipated importation of maize grain from South America but instead provide solutions aimed at mitigating the maize shortage.

He was reacting to a media statement attributed to UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema in which he accused President Edgar Lungu and his ministers of issuing  contradictory statements over the nation’s food security situation.

A few weeks ago, President Lungu hinted that the country may be forced to import maize grain from South America due to the drought that has hit most parts of the country. His words were later echoed by Vice-President Inonge Wina. But recently, agriculture minister Given Lubinda appeared to contradict his bosses when he assured the nation that there is enough maize in the reserves to last until the next harvesting season.

This prompted a sharp response from the country’s leading opposition leader who also criticised the governments decision to sanction the exportation of maize grain.

But Kapoma has leaped to the defense of President Lungu’s government, saying: “It is important for the citizens to realise that the president and his ministers are all saying the one thing that the country has enough grain and no Zambian will go hungry. The citizens need to understand that the anticipated importation does not factor in the maize that is yet to be harvested for the current farming season.

“In as much as it is true that action is needed to address the 200,000 metric tonnes deficit, it is gratifying that government has assured the nation that the country has enough stock in the reserves to last until the next harvest season meaning that as we harvest in the next season the country may have enough grain and may not need to import the grain as anticipated.”

He appealed to all stakeholders to concentrate on providing solutions to the problem rather than criticising “even when it is not necessary” adding that they must show genuine concern and avoid misleading the nation with negative statements that have the potential of causing “panic” among the citizens.

He has however urged the government to seriously consider investing in irrigation farming and empower small scale farmer with equipment to enable them engage in irrigation  farming in order for them to effectively contribute to mitigating the impact of climate change.