MAIZE OPEN BORDER POLICY DOES NOT MAKE ZAMBIA FOOD INSECURE - IAPRI
A new report has revealed that despite experiencing a fall in maize production from last year, Zambia has emerged as the largest surplus country in the Region, surpassing South Africa, traditionally the region’s dominant maize exporter. According to the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute - IAPRI’s - 2015/16 Zambian Maize Market Outlook and Regional Analysis, once requirements for self-sufficiency are met, including setting aside a national reserve of 500,000 Mt, Zambia has an exportable surplus of 876, 738 Metric tons. In contrast, the only other two surplus countries in the Region, Tanzania and South Africa have a surplus of 487, 000 Mt and 300,000 metric tonnes. IAPRI’s research shows that keeping Zambia’s borders open at all times would not risk the country’s food security status; but it will help the country expand its market for the benefit of both farmers and consumers and the economy at large. This is because openness to international trade can reduce price