By Beatrice Chabaya
The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has assured the country that the maize government is currently importing from Tanzania is free from aflatoxin.
DMMU Assistant Director for Emergency and Relief Makoye Chisuta said the maize is also non-GMO.
He added that tests on the commodity have proven that there are no foreign particles.
“This is a none GMO maize, specifications were spelt out in the contract, so the issue of what you have mentioned, invasive species being part of this is completely ruled out. Certificates are there to certify that this is free of any foreign particles,” he said in Kapiri, Central Province at the FRA depot after inspecting the maize government is importing from Tanzania.
The maize in question is being transported by First Quantum Minerals (FQM).
Meanwhile, FQM has transported over 50,000 of 50kg sacks of maize, from the 400,000 tonnes the mining giant committed to transport.
FQM Corporate Affairs Manager Kyansenga Chitoshi disclosed that the undertaking will cost K13 million, to be covered by the company.
The agreement for Zambia and Tanzania to engage in such a transaction was agreed upon this year in July, following the dry spells that prompted President Hakainde Hichilema to declare drought as a national disaster.
To that effect, government is expected to import 650 tonnes of maize from Tanzania.
And Mr Chisuta implored other corporate entities to emulate FQM as far as complementing government efforts is concerned.
©️ Zambia Reports 2024