ENVIRONMENTALIST PROTESTS ZNS’ SUSPENSION OF WHEAT CULTIVATION

THE suspension of wheat cultivation by the Zambia National Services(ZNS) has been criticized by Environment and Climate Change Expert James Matches.

ZNS Commandant General Maliti Solochi has announced that the service would this year suspend the growing of wheat to commit all its irrigation equipment to growing winter maize.

This follows a directive by Minister of Defence Ambrose Lufuma to the ZNS to immediately start preparations for irrigated maize in all farms that have centre pivot irrigation equipment.

But Mr. Matches said it will be inappropriate for ZNS to do away with the cultivation of wheat this year saying if there was a deficit of the commodity on the market, prices of bread, buns and flitters will be adjusted upwards.

He said a number of people depend on bread and flitters that were relatively cheaper than nshima.

“The problem is we divorce ourselves from reality when we deal with issues that concern Zambians. When you have a deficit in wheat production, most likely you are going to be the same person who is going to complain. Remember, there was a time when people were saying that the prices of bread have gone up. People were voted for out saying that people should start eating sweet potatoes if the price of bread is high,” Mr. Matches said.

When reminded that the majority of Zambians depend on nshima, Mr Matches said: ” You can talk about the majority but there are buns. In these compounds, we eat buns. You can talk about nshima because you want to rationize on mealie-meal but it doesn’t come so easily. If you want to think that you are going to cook nshima, morning, lunch and supper, mealie-meal will finish in one week and you have four weeks until you have a next income. People are now resorting to buying a tray of buns for K20 or K30 unlike where you have nshima which will demand for relish which is expensive.”

He said the suspension of wheat cultivation this year was going to be welcomed if there was a surplus of the commodity in the current production.

“We must always read between the lines and say ok, you replace this to create this deficit, what impact will it have? There are people who eat flitters in the industries. When the price of wheat goes up, the flitters you are buying at K2 will be selling K5. How many people will manage that every day?” he asked.