ZAMBIA – President Edgar Lungu has said that he will be meeting technocrats to see if the 10 percent slapped on export of maize is necessary.

The President says government remains resolute to grow the agriculture sector in the country.

The President said that government will continue to support small scale farmers to grow the agriculture sector.

President Lungu that was why he wanted farmers to scale up dialogue with various sectors to grow the agriculture industry.

The President was speaking when he addressed farmers at Country Club in Mkushi.

The Head of State also said government will work on addressing the challenges and close all loopholes contributing to reduced soya beans price.

The President said he will not sit back and allow the price of Soya beans to remain low.

Central Province Minister Sydney Mushanga said he is happy that the President has continued to check on the farming communities in the country.

And President Edgar Lungu has said that Government will find a way of subsidizing electricity tariffs on production and not consumption.

The Head of state said that government has made this very clear because it wants to increase productivity in various areas.

The Head of State said that Government had not increased electricity tariffs but simply removed the subsidy to make the tariffs competitive in the region.

President Lungu was speaking when he toured Joe Daka’s seed production farm in Mkushi today.

And the President said there should be no difficulties in getting title deeds for farms in the country.

He said he will not hesitate to sign title deeds if all bench marks are fulfilled and approved. The President Lungu said Government will find a way of harmonising export of seed and seed maize.

He said government will address all the challenges commercial farmers are facing in export of seed.

This was after Joe Daka, a Commercial farmer who is producing seed on behalf of Seedco complained of challenges in exporting seed maize.

Meanwhile, Zambia National Farmers Union of Zambia – ZNFU- President Jervis Zimba said the President’s on-the-spot check of farming communities is a huge step taken to grow the farming industry in the country.

Mr. Zimba said farmers are happy that the President will not be cheated on what is happening in the country regarding farming.

Mr Zimba also called on the President to put in place a special electricity tariff for farmers.

June 14, 2017: Lusaka Times