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Minister of Agriculture Rueben Mtolo Phiri has disclosed that the country is food secure up to june 2024. Mr. Phiri says the country needs at least three million tons of maize to be food secured for 12 months. Speaking during a consultative meeting with the Zambia National Farmers' Union to discuss the prevailing dry spell and it's effect on this year's crop, Mr. Phiri says the dry spell being experienced in the country is expected to reduce this year's planned harvest and create a short fall in the expected crop forecast. According to the ZNFU weekly brief, the Minister said if this happens, the country would be required to either import more maize from or engage local farmers who have the capacity to grow maize under irrigation. Mr. Phiri has since requested the Zambia National Farmers Union to undertake consultation with commercial farmers to explore possibilities of growing winter maize to supplement and meet the possible deficit.              ...

United Party for National Development Nalikwanda Member of Parliament Koonwa Simunji says former President Edgar Lungu must apologize for suggesting that the free education policy has compromised the quality of education. Mr. Simunji who feels the statement was not made in good faith, says the high number of learners that have entered the school system since the policy was introduced two years ago are benefiting from the free education policy. He says millions of school children in Zambia now have hope of attaining secondary level education following the free education policy. Mr. Simunji says President Hakainde Hichilema must be commended for removing the biggest barrier to access to education in the country. And Mr. Simunji has attributed the high number of junkies in communities to the previous regime’s education policy which required parents to pay for their children’s secondary education.     

Chief Sipatunyana of the Tonga Speaking people of Kalomo District says there is a looming food shortage in his chiefdom because farmers have sold all their produce from last year’s harvest because of the attractive price they were offered. The Traditional leader says his chiefdom has not been spared by the continued dry spell most parts of the country are experiencing. He notes that climate change remains a major threat to national food security, hence the need for farmers to embrace climate-smart agriculture. Chief Sipatunyana says the promotion of traditional seeds in drought-prone areas is key to ending hunger and sustaining the country’s food security. He has also encouraged farmers to go for drought resistance crops such as sorghum and millet to ensure food security in the country. The Traditional leader states that crop diversification improves the resilience of farming systems to climate change shocks like dry spells, urging farmers to adopt diversification.  Ends..............

United Party for National Development (UPND) Namwala Member of Parliament (MP) Moono Mapani is urging Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security to arrest and prosecute all gassing suspects who tormented citizens prior to the local governments, parliamentary and Presidential poll held on Thursday 12th August 2021. Mr. Mapani says many people across the country are privy of particular individuals that are linked to gassing incidents. "We know the people who were involved. We should not fear arresting and prosecuting all those who committed crimes as any law breaker must face the wrath of the law. It is sad that failure to conclude investigations and arrest all people implicated in dirty activities is making suspects appear above the law and may seem to be sacred cows. Anyone who commits or abrogates the constitution needs to face the full wrath of the law," Mr. Mapani said. Mr. Mapani has equally expressed disappointment at the administration's failure to disclose t...

Government is being urged to declared drought, a national disaster which is ravaging most parts of Zambia, a national disaster. Ruling United Party for National Development Nalikwanda Member of Parliament Koonwa Simunji says the declaration of the drought as a national disaster will immediately trigger a response from the international community. "There is urgent need for food assistance in the country. We would like to urge the government of President Hakainde Hichilema to declare the 2023-2024 farming season in Zambia a national disaster so that the nation can unlock funds and support to get affordable food to the people of Zambia,” said Mr. Simunji. Mr. Simunji says the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit will not manage the hunger situation in Zambia. Ends…///

Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha has noted the need for the legal fraternity to embrace Information Technology (IT) in the administration of justice to prevent hindrances and delays in the process. Mr. Kabesha has observed that Information Technology is important to the legal fraternity just as it is to the business community.   Speaking yesterday during the 2024 Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) - Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference (CASGC) in New Delhi, dubbed, “cross-border challenges in justice delivery”, Mr. Kabesha noted that disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic led to a major shift in service delivery, affecting the justice system. According to a statement issued by First Secretary Press at the Zambian Mission in India Bennie Mundando, Mr. Kabesha highlighted the role of technology in easing processes, enabling the holding of virtual meetings, and facilitating the electronic transfer of court documents. He said “The delega...

The cost of living for a family of five living in Lusaka for January 2024 has increased by over 398 kwacha from 9,157.41 kwacha recorded in December 2023 to 9,555.53 kwacha. This is according to the latest Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection-JCTR Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket released today. Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka today, JCTR Executive Director, Alex Muyebe has attributed the upward movement in the basket to an increase in the price of commodities such as charcoal, cooking oil, and kapenta.  Fr. Muyebe has cautioned that for as long as the kwacha continues to depreciate on the international market, the cost of living will continue going up but hopes that by mid-2024 the economy will stabilize. Fr. Muyebe has called on the government to enforce price control measures. "To prevent individuals from being exploited through frequent commodity price adjustments, it is imperative for the government to enforce price control measures. By monitoring and...