ctn…rice and wheat require too much water, a resource which is dwindling by the year. So Lets be fair here maize is our staple crop we must cherish, it we must protect it we must do everything we can to continue production of it, we must increase production of it. Yes we can diversify but we must never abondon maize because to do so would be a disaster for millions of Zambians.

Great analysis there. However all these problems can be resolved if the govt just gave the farmers a fair price on their maize. K1.5 is the least price they should give farmers for this season because so many challenges are faced by farmers and growing maize these days is becoming more and more expensive with the challenge of army worms, more resisitant weeds, varieites which demand more fertilizers and the high cost of labour plus post harvest costs of bagging and shelling the maize. Its a real nightmare to be a maize farmer these days, yes you can condemn maize growers but truth of the matter you need maize groweres because without them you will starve and what alternative is there? Cassava will take 50 years to replace maize, rice and wheat require too much water, a resource which is…

FISP is not fertilizer input support program but farmer input support program.

This is the kind of response that we need from a good article as a country. We are always talking politics and as a result failing to see reality as it is. I salute you Ndanje K. It’s time we started looking at some of our traditional foods that sustained our forefathers and are nutritious enough to address our nutritional challenges. Cassava is a good alternative to maize and it’s time we gave it serious attention.

Agreed. The need for well thought through strategies that will inculcate the new culture into the newly born boys and girls and keeping in mind that the nshima culture is deeply entrenched in the Zambian society. It is a tough call but not invincible with concerted effort by all.