ZNS MAIZE EXPORTS JUMP FROM 40 TO 2,000 METRIC TONNES AMID INCREASED PRODUCTION
By Elesani Phiri
Zambia National Service-ZNS- Commander Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi has disclosed that maize exports by the service have increased from 40 metric tonnes to 2,000 metric tonnes following increased production by both the service and local farmers.
In an interview, Lieutenant General Solochi has attributed the surge to a maize-flooded market in the country.
He has further revealed that ZNS is currently sitting on 4,000 metric tonnes of maize, with an additional 5,000 metric tonnes expected, enough for both domestic consumption and exports.
Lieutenant General Solochi also noted that increased maize stocks have helped curb smuggling, with "zero records of smuggling activities at all border posts.
On measures to ensure food security amid reports of a looming drought, Lieutenant General Solochi said President Hakainde Hichilema has already constituted a team comprising the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit -DMMU-, Defence Forces, Zambia Correctional Service and other technocrats to ensure that no life is lost to hunger.
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