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Zambia restricts maize transportation to curb smuggling

Xinhua, April 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

Authorities in Zambia have restricted the transportation of maize in order to curb rampant smuggling of the commodity into some neighboring countries, state broadcaster reported on Saturday.

Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa said any maize or maize meal which is transported outside the stipulated time (from 6 a.m to 6 p.m) will be seized, according to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

The official said the move was aimed at maintaining food security in the wake of the exploitation of the commodity by unscrupulous traders, who are exporting it to neighboring countries.

The government has since appealed to members of public to help it contain the situation by reporting any suspicious transportation of maize, bulk buying of the commodity and hoarding.

Shawa also assured that the country has sufficient stocks of maize, amounting to over 762,000 tons, and that the government will strictly monitor export of maize under the existing contracts.

Zambia has witnessed an increase in the smuggling of maize and maize meal, mainly to Malawi and Mozambique, due to acute shortages of the commodity in the two countries caused by poor harvests. Endit