The Zambia National Farmers Union -ZNFU- says the rising shortage of maize bran in the country is worrying.
ZNFU Spokesperson, Calvin Kaleyi, said the trend has seen most farmers struggle to find viable sources of energy and protein for their livestock at a very critical time of the year.
Mr Kaleyi said stakeholders in the livestock industry held a virtual consultative meeting recently to discuss the reported low supply of bran on the market.
He pointed out that the farmers bemoaned the prioritising of export raw materials such as bran, sunflower cake or cottonseed cake to support livestock producers in neighboring countries, who in turn produce beef which is sold at higher prices.
He observed that the Kwacha depreciated sharply in the winter months until late August 2021, which led to excess exports of bran.
Mr Kaleyi has, however, urged all farmers failing to access bran to get in touch with the secretariat to facilitate engagements with stakeholders for possible remedies.
Meanwhile, ZNFU is thrilled with the gains recorded by the Kwacha.
He underscored that the Kwacha has continued to make gains against major convertible currencies though at a slower rate than the period heading to the inauguration of the 7th Republican President Hakainde Hichilema.
