The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has called on government to continue with the diversification programme in the agriculture sector in order to stabilise the price of mealie meal in the country, and realise a favourable reduction in the commodity.
JCTR has expressed concern with the continued increase in the high price of mealie meal on the local market.
JCTR says the concern has been raised based on the fact that mealie meal is the country’s staple commodity and a further increase will adversely affects the cost of living.
According to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka by JCTR Social & Economic Development Programme Officer Chanda Chileshe, hunger levels have increased among the poor who do not have the capacity to afford the current high cost of mealie meal.
The statement further noted policymakers need to act on the demand of the people they serve, in order to create a favourable and well managed economy
The Statement also disclosed that the Basic Needs Basket for the month of April for a family of five in Lusaka reduced to K5, 519 from K 5, 543 in March 2019 representing a decrease of K24 which was necessitated by the reduction in the price of charcoal which reduced by K14 from K159 in March to K145 in April per 90 kilogramme bag.
