Maize imports from Zambia begin

Zimbabwe has begun taking delivery of the 150 000 metric tonnes of maize that were sourced from Zambia under an agreement between the governments of the two countries. The amount that has been brought into the country so far could not be immediately ascertained, but the grain is expected to be distributed to drought-stricken areas.

In an interview last week, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said Government moved swiftly to import the maize to prevent starvation.

He also said the Grain Marketing Board will distribute the consignment through its depots.

"We are still in the process of receiving 150 000 metric tonnes of maize from Zambia. Recently, the Grain Marketing Board signed documents in relation to that," he said.

"Although Finance Minister Tendai Biti was insisting on sharing the cost with the private sector, Government could not wait for one person to decide while thousands faced starvation.

"Government's position and decision was to continue with the importation while Mr Biti's duty was to look for the money to pay for the grain.''

Early this month, Zambia agreed to export grain to Zimbabwe under a government-to-government arrangement. This followed discussions between President Mugabe and his Zambian counterpart, President Michael Sata. Minister Biti had been pushing for private sector players to shoulder the grain importation responsibility.

Private milling companies did not support the proposal since most of them were already receiving South African imports.

Grain Millers' Association chairperson Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said private millers have so far imported 60 000 metric tonnes.