By Cecilia Chiluba 
Government says a total of 195,000 metric tonnes of maize has been transported into Zambia from Tanzania under the grain importation initiative, which commenced in August 2024, with the final consignment expected to arrive in the country within seven days.
The procurement of maize from Tanzania was executed under the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), with Food Reserve Agency (FRA) as the implementing agency, working hand-in-hand with the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) in Tanzania.
A delegation of Zambian government officials led by DMMU Director for Disaster Humanitarian Operations Management, Amos Mumba and FRA Acting Executive Director Justine Chuunka, is currently in Sumbawanga, Tanzania, to oversee the loading of the final consignment of maize purchased under a government-to-government contract.
The consignment marks the concluding phase of Zambia’s maize importation initiative from Tanzania, launched in response to the severe drought that affected the country during the 2023/2024 farming season.
Mr. Chuunka confirmed that the final consignment is now en route to Zambia and is expected to arrive within the next seven days.
He stated that to date, all maize quantities uplifted from Tanzania have been received and reconciled, thanking the Zambian Government for facilitating the entire process.
“All consignments have been accounted for in full, and the cooperation with our Tanzanian counterparts has been exemplary,” Mr. Chuunka stated.
Mr. Chuunka also thanked the Tanzanian Government for their continued collaboration, the transporters and FRA staff for their diligence in ensuring that all maize met Zambia’s stringent quality and safety standards.
Speaking during the same visit, Mr. Mumba emphasized the importance of regional partnerships in addressing food insecurity.
He noted that, despite the complexity of the operation, the mission was a success due to coordinated efforts among multiple stakeholders.
“This was a complex logistical operation, but with the cooperation of clearing agents, border authorities, transporters, and our field teams, we ensured timely movement and delivery. The final consignment is now in transit and expected to arrive in Zambia within seven days,” he said.
And Ministry of Agriculture Assistant Director – Agribusiness and Marketing Peter Zulu, who was also present during the mission, commended FRA and DMMU for their efficient execution of the maize importation exercise.
This is according to a statement issued DMMU Senior Information, Education and Communications Officer, Mathews Musukwa.
News Desk 
Joseph Tembo