Govt to determine extent of expected food shortage

Govt to determine extent of expected food shortage
Written by Katwishi Bwalya
Monday, April 20, 2009 4:41:52 AM

GOVERNMENT has embarked on a crop assessment survey to determine the extent to which the country could be affected by the expected shortage of food in southern Africa due to recently experienced floods.

Agriculture minister Dr Brian Chituwo said it was too early to know whether the country could be affected by the shortage of food although there were indications that the region could face that problem.

"I went to interact with the CSO [Central Statistical Office] and MACO [Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives] crop forecast survey verification team. They are looking at the data from all the districts in the country in regards to the survey, which was made to estimate the quantity of maize available. That is a government survey which will give us scientific evidence of how the surplus or deficits we shall have," Dr Chituwo said.

Asked about measures the government had put in place to mitigate the possible impact of food shortages on the country, Dr Chituwo said he would respond after the results of the crop forecast were released.

He said the crop forecast would be concluded in the next two weeks.

"The crop forecast verification team results have got a strong bearing on the national food balance sheet [because] the results will indicate a surplus or a deficit in a normal year and then government and the private sector will make a decision then upon such scientific findings," Dr Chituwo said. "They have been given two weeks. In the first week of May, I must have the information."

And Dr Chituwo said the price of mealie-meal could only be stabilised through increased production.

"The agriculture sector is one and many decisions government make affects the agriculture sector. It is really gratifying news that the price of roller meal is as announced by National Milling Corporation [and] I have repeatedly stated and appealed to our traders that in their quests to make profits, let them perhaps consider that a businessman or woman can make a profit not only on one item but on selling many items. In so doing they will be serving and maintaining their clientele," said Dr Chituwo.