Climate-smart agriculture expert Oliver Kandela Bulaya has warned that Zambia’s decision to lift maize export restrictions could leave smallholder farmers behind if urgent measures are not taken to protect their interests.
Dr. Bulaya says while the policy shift is a positive step for the agricultural sector, many small-scale farmers remain vulnerable due to limited access to timely market information and low preparedness for export trade.
He says without stronger agricultural extension services and targeted guidance on pricing, quality standards, and cross-border trade procedures, most smallholder farmers may fail to benefit from the liberalised market.
Dr. Bulaya warns that this could create an uneven playing field where large-scale producers and well-connected grain traders dominate export opportunities, exposing smallholder farmers to exploitation and marginalisation.
He has since called on the Ministry of Agriculture to urgently strengthen information dissemination, improve transparency, and support farmer cooperatives to ensure inclusive participation in maize exports.
By Best Jere
