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Zambia’s opposition has criticized an agreement with Kenya to allow Kenyan farming of maize in Zambia to help meet its food needs amid a record drought. The National Democratic Congress says Zambian farmers should be given priority for farming Zambian land for exports to Kenya and note problems with maize supplies at home. Kathy Short reports from Lusaka, Zambia.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: ZAMBIA KENYA FARMLAND (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Zambian Opposition Decries Kenyan Maize Farming Deal
TEASER: Zambia's opposition says Zambian farmers should be given priority for farming Zambian land for exports to Kenya amid maize supply problems
PUBLISHED AT: 05/04/2023 at 8:25am
BYLINE: Kathy Short
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Lusaka, Zambia
VIDEOGRAPHER: Richard Kille
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Schearf, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, ZNBC
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __X
TRT: 2:13
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
Zambia’s opposition has criticized an agreement with Kenya to allow Kenyan farming of maize in Zambia to help meet its food needs amid a record drought. The National Democratic Congress says Zambian farmers should be given priority for farming Zambian land for exports to Kenya and note problems with maize supplies at home. Kathy Short reports from Lusaka, Zambia.
((NARRATOR))
The Horn of Africa’s record drought has made maize, a staple food in Africa, an even more sought-after grain.
In Zambia, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s top maize suppliers, police say the demand has fueled smuggling to neighbors like the Democratic Republic of Congo, causing shortages at home.
((NARRATOR))
((Courtesy: ZNBC))
Despite the supply concerns at home, Zambia in March signed a controversial deal with Nairobi to allow Kenyan farmers to grow maize in Zambia for export to Kenya.
Saboi Imboela is leader of Zambia’s opposition National Democratic Congress.))
((Saboi Imboela, Leader of Zambia’s National Democratic Congress, (English,15 secs))
“We do have a lot of farmers in the country and the government also can empower a lot of subsistence farmers so that they grow a lot of maize, and they export. Why do they have to involve Kenyans in doing that? You know, let them deal with the Zambians alone.”
((NARRATOR))
Kenya’s high court in April temporarily suspended the deal, after the Kenyan Farmers Party argued it is unconstitutional. Another hearing is scheduled for later in May.
If the agreement goes ahead as planned, some analysts argue it will benefit both Zambia and Kenya.
Isaac Mwaipopo is director of Zambia’s Center for Trade Policy and Development.
((Isaac Mwaipopo, Center for Trade Policy and Development, (English, 15 secs))
“And that step that was taken by the two government was a step in the right direction in terms of creating job opportunities within the continent but also getting to deal with the food security concerns within the continent.”
((NARRATOR))
The Zambian government declined VOA’s request for comment.
((Mandatory courtesy: ZNBC))
But information officials provided video aired on state television that, they say, shows Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema meeting with farmers, millers, and grain traders in April to discuss the maize deal with Kenya.
((MANDATORY COURTESY: ZNBC))
((NARRATOR))
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema in April met farmers, millers, and grain traders to discuss concerns about maize production and the deal with Kenya.
((Hakainde Hichilema, Zambian President (English, 9 secs))
“We respect what you do, we respect what farmers do. So let us also support what farmers do, so that they too can make some money.”
((NARRATOR))
Both the Zambian and Kenyan ministries of agriculture declined VOA’s requests for comment on the maize farming deal.
((Kathy Short, for VOA News, Lusaka, Zambia))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Lusaka
Embargo DateMay 4, 2023 08:11 EDT
BylineKathy Short
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
