In a significant effort to address the soaring prices of mealie meal and fulfill the government’s commitment to provide affordable essential commodities, the Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS) has officially commenced the distribution of Kalonga mealie meal. The launch ceremony took place at the Dariyaye Milling Plant in Lusaka.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu, present at the event, conveyed the government’s determination to alleviate the financial burden on citizens by mitigating the escalating cost of mealie meal. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with the government’s promise, ensuring that essential commodities remain accessible to all Zambians.
“In honoring the UPND’s campaign promise of keeping the prices of essential commodities within reach of its citizens, the government engaged the Zambia Correctional Service and the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to mitigate the escalating prices,” stated Minister Mwiimbu.
The Minister disclosed the pricing details, stating that a 25-kilogram bag of breakfast meal will be sold at K210 wholesale and K220 retail. Other dealers will offer the mealie meal at K195 and K230 for a 25-kilogram bag of roller meal and breakfast, respectively.
Minister Mwiimbu reiterated the government’s urgency to stabilize mealie meal prices, making them affordable for low-income earners and the general public. He praised the partnership between Kalonga Milling and Dariyaye Milling Company, emphasizing its role in expanding production and reaching areas beyond Kabwe.
To support agricultural development, Minister Mwiimbu highlighted the introduction of an affordable agriculture loan financing program ranging from K10,000 to K70,000. This program, part of the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Program (CATSP), aims to enhance access to seeds and fertilizers for farmers.
Minister Mwiimbu encouraged civil servants to take advantage of the introduced loan facility. He also praised President Hakainde Hichilema for his leadership in driving the agriculture agenda, reflecting the government’s commitment to expanding the economy through agricultural production and value addition.
ZCS Commissioner General Frederick Chilukutu expressed gratitude to Dariyaye Milling Company for collaborating with the service in supplying affordable mealie meal to the people of Zambia. Commissioner General Chilukutu outlined the distribution plan, inviting business houses to join in making Kalonga mealie meal widely available across the country.
As the Zambia Correctional Service embarks on this venture, it signifies a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors to enhance economic growth and improve the well-being of the Zambian population. The affordable Kalonga mealie meal aims to contribute significantly to food accessibility for all citizens.
This will be short lived for sure
SAD but the truth
Mwe bantu, Be positive at times. What do you get for your negative? Really what do you want the government to do when the millers all they are interested in is profit?
ZNS past records show us broiler section failure potatoe section didnt work layers units profit questonable kalonga milling supplies have been very erratic cabbages given away
has something change most are not aware of ??
EXPLAIN PLEASE
Under5 government…this behavior of we know it all is very dangerous. In the first place the former ruling party patriotic front left a lot of maize stock and they advised under5 government not to sale the former Minister of information was in the fore front explaining the tonnage and that how government was looking forward to export the maize…instead of making sure of enough maize stock to feed the nation.. selfish individuals with no heart for the country hoped to export this is why mealie meal is now at K 300.00
Your level of thinking is questionable. You talk as though the maize stock were going to last forever.
Your thinking is lousy. I can not even advise you to back to school because you will surely fail.
Good start. Let everyone take up some farming at any level. The mentality of only waiting for dubious GRZ contracts are taking our country backwards.
The name is very appropriate. In Tonga they say Nzala Nkalonga. Hunger is indeed a small stream. We shall surely and easily cross it. Let us not be like those that are calling New Dawn all sorts of names instead of telling our employers to pay us slightly more so that we can easily afford the maize meal.
We need 35% salary increase across the board in goverment and private companies for us to survive against hunger
mulenya mulelapila
In other words you are giving subsidized maize to dariye milling to make mealie meal for you and market it as Kalonga milling because Kalonga milling only has one small plant in kabwe.
You right Kalonga mill is in a mess maintenance and expertise lacking