Zambia’s opposition condemned an agreement between its government and Kenya allowing the farming of maize in the South African country to solve food crisis in its East African counterpart. 

Speaking to Voice Of Africa (VOA) on Thursday, May 4, the opposition leader Saboi Imboela lamented that the Zambian government had prioritised Kenya instead of the Zambian farmers.

She stated that instead, farmers in Zambia should be empowered to produce enough food for local and international consumption. 

“We so have a lot of farmers in this country, and the government can empower many subsistence farmers to grow a lot of maize and export it too. 

Image of Kenyans cultivating in a maize farm FARMBIZ AFRICA

“Why do they have to involve Kenyans in that (our agricultural practices)? Let them deal with Zambians alone,” Imboela lamented.

However, Isaac Mwaipopo, the Director of Zambia’s Centre for trade policy and Development, disagreed, noting that the deal would benefit Kenya and Zambia.

Mwaipopo stated that it would have been a great opportunity to expand trade with Kenya and offer other opportunities for Zambians while addressing food insecurity.

“It would create job opportunities within the continent and also address the issue of food insecurity,” he stated.

At the same time, police officers in Zambia lamented that the high demand for maize fueled the smuggling of cereals to other countries, including Congo. 

Earlier on April 14, High Court Justice Muguru Thande temporarily halted the deal following a petition filed by Kenya Kwanza coalition-affiliated party ‘The Farmers Party’ headed by Irungu Nyakera.

According to the petitioners, it was an unreasonable, irrational, unlawful, and gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya for Linturi to engage Zambia to produce maize for Kenya.

“After considering the principles for grant of conservatory orders at the exparte stage, I find that the orders in the application are merited,” read part of the court ruling.

On March 6, Agriculture CS met his Zambian counterpart, Mtolo Phiri, and signed the memorandum of understanding expected to realise food and nutrition security in Kenya.

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi hosted by his Zambian Counterpart Reuben Mtolo in Lusaka on March 6, 2023.

PHOTO/MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

“I am happy the Zambian government has agreed to offer Kenyan farmers land for large-scale farming in Zambia. Kenyan farmers will in turn be required to export their yields back to Kenya in order to boost our food supply and security,” he stated.