Zambia exports 52,000 tonnes of maize as food aid to neighbors

Zambia has exported about 52,047 tonnes of maize to neighboring countries in the form of humanitarian assistance as of December 1, a senior official said Wednesday.

The maize has been exported under the World Food Program (WFP)-supported humanitarian program to support countries facing a food crisis due to poor harvests, as well as on a government-to-government arrangement.

Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa said that 30,820 tonnes have been exported to Malawi, 20,079 tonnes to Zimbabwe and 1,148 tonnes to Mozambique as of December 1.

He said in a statement that Malawi requested for food assistance in October following a serious food deficit.

He said other countries in the region such as Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have requested for more maize from Zambia, adding that the maize was being exported on the basis of helping needy neighbors and will not be affected by a ban on maize exports.

Zambia banned maize exports in October this year in order to guarantee local food security.

The official has since dismissed media reports of a maize export scandal involving senior officials in the ministry, adding that the maize being exported was on government-to-government basis and for humanitarian purposes.

According to him, the ban exempted exports of maize on humanitarian grounds. Endit