October 2001 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket: Appropriate and Prompt Policy Responses in Agriculture Vital, Observes JCTR

Without adequate preparations, Zambia may have to import maize again next year. It should be noted that Zambia need not import maize next year unless in circumstances beyond the country's control such as drought and floods. Observes Muweme Muweme, Coordinator of the Economic and Social Development Research Project of the JCTR.The JCTR Food Basket for a family of six in Lusaka is now costing K358,400 compared to last month's cost of K357,300. According to Muweme, the rise is mainly attributed to the rising cost of mealie meal which has seen an adjustment to feed a family of six from K72,900 for the month of September to K75, 000 for October. ''Where we can, let us as a country avoid such trends in cost of living which hurt the poor most,'' says Muweme. Muweme further says that what seems to be more worrying is the lack of prompt and accurate policy responses to a lot of difficulties the country goes through, particularly those pertaining to agriculture. No where is this more evident than what we are experiencing now as revealed by the JCTR monthly Food Basket and the current situation concerning maize stocks in the country.Irish Aid and Joint Country Programm