The government has assured grain farmers in the Zambezi Region that their concerns over the lack of a market will be addressed.

Farmers said they harvested large quantities of grain but are struggling to secure buyers.

A maize farmer, Richard Kambinda said he harvested over 90 tons that are currently under poor storage conditions.

“We only have one miller right now who is buying. And I'm not sure if he can buy all the maize. Where we are now, we are almost at the end of August, and this maize cannot be stored like this.”

Zambezi Governor, Dorothy Kabula urged farmers to be patient as the government is treating the issue as a matter of national urgency.

“As I'm talking to you right now, the issue has reached the Office of the Prime Minister, and they have already engaged all stakeholders to make sure that all the grain countrywide should be bought and kept in our storage. As you know, this year we might not even get enough rain. We are hearing of El Niño; therefore, the government is not ignoring it. Our people should be patient a little bit."