The President of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, Mr Tafadzwa Musarara (TM) has said that maize stocks in the country remain at stressed levels.
Musarara was speaking to NewDay’s Midlands reporter Brenna Matendere (ND) in a recent interview during which he indicated that country needs to adopt drought-busting measures to address the current food shortages.
We present below excerpts from the interview.
ND: What is the current state of grain and, in particular, national stocks of maize?
TM: Stocks remain below requirement, but not very critical. I am unable to mention figures at the moment since it’s a national security issue.ND: How many tonnes do you have and what are you using the maize for?
TM: Following the government dispensation we got in December 2019, we have imported more than 150 000 metric tonnes. To date, we have in hold 40 000 metric tonnes. This importation programme complements government maize imports.
Musarara also indicated that the price moratorium which was announced by Vice President Kembo Mohadi ends at the end of this month.
The government had directed businesses and millers to price their commodities using the 25 March 2020 prices in a bid to cushion members of the public from the effects of the coronavirus-induced lockdown.
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