Top news items in major Zambia media outlets

The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Saturday.

-- The Zambian government intends to introduce a 10-percent export duty on maize next year.

Minister of Finance Felix Mutati said the government will also refrain from using export bans or setting prices above market rates as they have an effect of generating uncertainty, which in turn affects production. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- The Zambian government has promised to maintain a stable and responsive mining tax regime for the mining industry.

Minister of Finance Felix Mutati said the government will fully implement effective mining monitoring mechanisms such as the mineral value chain monitoring project to enhance transparency in the sector and to accelerate a diversified mining output base to other minerals such as gemstone, gold, nickel, manganese and iron. (Daily Nation)

-- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has urged Zambia to invest in water harvesting projects.

FAO deputy strategic program leader for sustainable development Festus Akinnifesi said putting the harvesting of water as an agenda for development would be a solution to most challenges the country was facing.

He said the country should start harvesting water during the rainy season for use in the dry season, adding that harvesting water would help the country to have whole year round agriculture activities that would help fight poverty. (Times of Zambia) Endit