Opposition Party for National Unity and Progress president Highvie Hamududu has called on Government to allow maize farmers to export their produce to neighboring countries where they can make more money.
Mr Hamududu said forcing farmers to sell their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) at K110 per 50kg bag when they could sell the same at double the amount outside was unacceptable.
He called on the PF-led government to devise a mechanism that will allow unrestricted exports of agricultural produce, especially maize so that the number of people queueing for the ineffective Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is drastically reduced.
Mr Hamududu said there were currently no fundamental programmes that were helping add value to the rich agricultural potential.
He pointed out that allowing maize exports would create employment in the agricultural value-chain, increase income and fight poverty among the people.
Mr Hamududu said to guarantee food security through availability of cheaper mealie-meal, the government must find another solution outside closing the borders.
