Ban on onion imports meant to protect local farmers, says President Hakainde Hichilema
Written by MRadio on April 10, 2022
By ELVIS MILAMBO
No imports of onions will be allowed in Zambia in order to protect local farmers whose produce is going to waste due to spoilage which increasing post-harvest losses in the country, President Hakainde Hichilema has said.
Speaking at the official opening of the Agritech Expo in Chisamba, Mr. Hichilema said agriculture is at the centre of rebuilding the Zambian economy.
Mr. Hakainde said all those that have already imported onions will only be given 30 days grace period after which no imports will be allowed to enter the country.
And Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Jarvis Zimba said the agriculture sector is under attack from challenges such as climate change, diseases, and imports of produce which can be grown locally, among others. Meanwhile, Minister Of Agriculture, Mtolo Phiri said the country’s agriculture sector has been opened up for export and will never be closed so that Zambian farmers can sell their produce to foreign markets.
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