By Brian Mwale;
Government has temporarily suspended the issuance of import permits for onions, pending completion of discussions with the Zambia National Farmers Union -ZNFU.
This follows ZNFU President, JERVIS ZIMBA’s disclosure that 23-Million Kwacha worth of onions risk going to waste, if imports of the commodity are not halted.
Agriculture Permanent Secretary, GREEN MBOZI has confirmed government’s decision, saying discussions with the ZNFU have since started, to ascertain national production and consumption levels of onions.
Mr MBOZI has however told ZNBC News that government does not want to create an unnecessary shortage as was the case last year, when the imports were banned.
And an Onion farmer from Sinda district, Eastern province, LEVISON NKHOMA said the low prices of imported onions have affected the pricing of local onions, which are produced at a high cost.
