Zambia will buy maize from Kenya and Tanzania to help feed millions of people after rejecting offers of genetically modified (GM) maize aid, Zambian Finance Minister Emmanuel Kasonde said on Wednesday.
”In partnership with the private sector, the government will explore the possibilities of sourcing the maize from Kenya and Tanzania, and in the shortest possible timeframe will mobilise resources to ensure that the stock is sourced from these two countries,” Kasonde said in a statement.
Zambia is among six southern African countries gripped by a crippling food shortage. Zambia and Zimbabwe, which are among the worst affected by the shortages, reject GM food aid.
Nearly 13-million people face starvation in the six countries because of drought in some regions and flooding in others as well as political upheaval, notably in Zimbabwe.
Relief agencies estimate the region needs some
1,2-million tons of food aid. Of the countries facing food shortages Malawi, Mozambique and Lesotho unconditionally accept GM maize, say the US and relief agencies in the region.
”Business entities from Tanzania have offered to supply good quality natural maize in good quantities in order to ease the problem the country is facing as a result of the current shortage,” Kasonde said.
”I am pleased with the offers because they will give us an opportunity to identify cost-effective, in terms of purchase cost and haulage and delivery, sources of maize in meeting our requirements,” he said, adding that he saw purchases from Kenya and Tanzania meeting all of Zambia’s current requirements.
Kasonde did not say how much maize would be bought from Kenya and Tanzania. He did not discuss pricing.
WEATHER KNOCKS FOOD OUTPUT
Zambia faces a maize deficit of 630 000 tons.
Last week, Kasonde had told local media that he was looking to import 400 000 tonnes of maize from South Africa.
Capricious weather — a combination of drought and floods in key growing areas — reduced Zambia’s food production to 490 000 tons from 700 000 tons in the 2000/2001 season.
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa declared a national hunger disaster in May, saying up to four million people faced starvation. Last month, he said Zambia would not accept GM maize until it held its own tests to determine if it was safe for human consumption.
The WFP said last week it would divert 42 000 tons GM maize initially destined for Zambia to other southern African states faced with hunger if the government refused to accept it.
The US similarly said it would divert 27 600 tons of GM maize to other countries if Zambia declined to take it.
Kenyan Agriculture Minister Bonaya Godana told Reuters in Nairobi his government was not offering maize to Zambia.
”You know we have liberalised the maize sector and individuals could be selling. But the Cereals is not selling,” Godana said, referring to the state-run National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
Kenyan officials say the NCPB exported 100 000 tons of maize in April to June to southern Africa countries.
Godana said last month that the exports were supposed to help stabilise Kenya’s domestic maize prices, which plunged after Kenya produced a bumper crop this year, saturating the local market. – Reuters