THE Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has expressed concern over conflicting statements issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) regarding Zambia’s maize export deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to CTPD Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo, the confusion surrounding whether or not Zambia had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the DRC to export 1 million metric tonnes of maize was deeply worrying and reflects poor coordination between government institutions.
On July 18, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture denied the existence of any maize export agreement with the DRC, directly contradicting a statement made the previous day by the FRA which suggested otherwise.
The contradicting announcements have left stakeholders puzzled and created uncertainty in the market.
According to CTPD executive director Isaac Mwaipopo, it is worrying that there appears to be a disconnect between both the Ministry of Agriculture and FRA, stating that this apparent lack of coordination undermines the effectiveness of both bodies and creates confusion for the public.
Mwaipopo went on to emphasise the damaging consequences of this disunity on Zambia’s agriculture sector, highlighting the detrimental effects on the country’s competitiveness and investors’ trust.
“The inconsistency in policies creates the perception that the agricultural sector in Zambia is unstable and unpredictable. This dissuades farmers and private sector investors from making the investments necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector, such as improvements in irrigation, storage, and transport infrastructure,” he said.
“Additionally, it sends mixed signals to neighboring countries, making it difficult for Zambia to capitalize on regional market opportunities.”
He explained that the uncertainty in government policy has a severe impact on the agricultural sector, particularly for farmers because with the fear that their produce may be subjected to an export ban at any given time, farmers are hesitant to invest in increasing their production, which in turn limits the country’s ability to tap into regional and international markets.
Despite expressing appreciation for the government’s efforts to improve the agricultural sector through initiatives like the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme (CATSP), Mwaipopo also pointed out that policy inconsistencies within the government could potentially undermine the success of such programs.
“The CATSP program is a commendable effort to revitalise the agricultural sector, but without a unified front within the government, these initiatives risk falling short of their intended impact. The miscommunication and apparent contradiction between the MOA and FRA on maize export policy is a prime example of how the lack of coordination can hinder progress,” Mwaipopo asserted.
Mwaipopo further called on government to prioritise collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and the FRA, highlighting the need for a unified front to disseminate accurate and timely information.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba July 29, 2025
