Chipata and Choma farmers must not sell maize before 2019-2020 marketing season pleads ZAW’s Edah Chimya

*PRESS STATEMENT*
*04/04/2020*
*LUSAKA*

*STOP SELLING MAIZE TO PRIVATE BUYERS BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2019/2020 MAIZE MARKETING SEASON*

After receiving reports that Farmers in Chipata and Choma District are selling maize to Private Buyers.

Zambia Alliance of Women wishes to advise Small Scale Farmers especially Women farmers not sell their Maize to Private Buyers before the official announcement of the 2019/2020 Marketing Season.

At the same time we call upon Farmers Association, Cooperatives and The Ministry of Agriculture to Protect Women Farmers admist great concentration on COVID19 as the private buyers have taken advantage of the fact that all efforts are drawn to dealing with the matter at hand (COVID-19) that they are now exploiting farmers especially women by buying maize at the cheapest prices.

Farmer exploitation by Private buyers was among the issues that Zambia Alliance of Women with Support from Hivos Southern Africa embarked on a project “Addressing Women Issues in Sustainable Production and Consumption where the Organisation worked in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture in Chilanga and Kafue districts to advocate for Government to address challenges faced by Women farmers in ensuring Sustainable diets for all. Farmers in Cooperatives and Clubs are being trained in Climate Smart Agriculture; key being Conservation Farming and Crop diversification, the majority of rural farmers are being provided a Platform to understand major Issues surrounding Farming among them being the Maize Marketing Season, Farming as a business, Gender in Cooperatives and Conservation Farming.

ZAW is also working on similar interventions with farmers in Mumbwa and Shibuyunji under a project “Increased Productivity and Resilience through Climate Smart Agriculture funded by SIDA through the NGOCC basket fund.

Finally, we appeal to Agriculture Extension Officers to Provide Farmers in rural areas with Information on 2019/2020 Maize Marketing Season so that Farmers can stop selling Maize at the Cheapest Prices to Private Buyers.

Zambia Agricultural Women Executive Director Edah Chimya

I thank you.

*Issued by:*
*Zambia Alliance of Women*
*Executive Director*
*Edah Chimya*

Zambia Agricultural Women Executive Director Edah Chimya