Mealie-meal shortage has been reported in some parts of Zambia, and the Civil Society Organization Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance-CSO-SUN suspects that millers are holding onto the commodity to manipulate the market for price hikes. CSO-SUN Programs Manager, Daniel Kalala, has called for a more equitable system of mealie meal distribution to prevent food insecurity being left in the hands of a few millers. Kalala believes that there is a need for Zambia to elect a proper and equitable system of mealie meal distribution, saying, “currently, the country’s food security has been left in the hands of a few millers who could withhold the commodity to temper with the price.”
Kalala also expressed skepticism that the national food security is determined by the amount of maize in reserves. He said, “we challenge government to ensure that Zambia is food and nutrition secure as opposed to only maize secure as has always been the case.” However, he also believed that regulated exports must continue, taking into account national food security. He said, “for the grain to contribute to the country’s gross domestic product while also supporting farmers who can benefit from selling their produce at higher prices across borders.”
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has also issued a warning that Zambia’s food security may be under threat if the next two months are not handled well. Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo cited illegal exports of maize and unexplainable shortages of mealie meal arising from the huge demand for the country’s non-GMO maize by her neighbors.
Meanwhile, Ndola’s Chimanga Changa Milling Company has suspended operations due to an erratic supply of maize. The company spokesperson, Auswell Nyoni, says the firm needs 4,000 metric tons of maize to recommence operations and has not sourced maize from external traders to prevent raising the selling price of the commodity. Nyoni said, “the company has not been operating the last five days and is in need of 4,000 metric tons of maize to commence operations.”
Nyoni also disclosed that the milling company last received maize consignment from the Food Reserve Agency-FRA- in February this year. Efforts to get a comment from FRA Public Relations Officer John Chipandwe proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered.
The situation has left some Zambians worried about the state of food security in the country. One resident, Chanda Mwale, expressed his concern, “we need to know what the government is doing to address this mealie-meal shortage. We cannot continue living like this, where our basic staple food is not available. It’s worrisome.”
Another resident, Mulenga Kasongo, called on the government to intervene and ensure that mealie meal is available and affordable for all Zambians. Kasongo said, “the government needs to put measures in place to ensure that the mealie-meal shortage is addressed. We need to have access to affordable and quality mealie meal, especially during these difficult times.”
With the mealie-meal shortage affecting Zambians, there is a need for the government to act urgently to address the situation to prevent further suffering among the people.