The Zambian government said on Tuesday that it will take precaution on maize exports in order to safeguard national food security.

Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa said the government will not allow the export of maize until it was satisfied that the country was food secure.

The government, he said, will not tolerate any illegal export of maize and warned that anyone who will be caught will face the wrath of the law.

According to a statement, the government was concerned over reports that some traders have been caught trying to smuggle maize to neighboring countries.

The government was currently monitoring the movement of maize and has since put in place measures to safeguard food security.

Zambia produced 2.8 million tons of maize during the 2015/2016 agricultural season, despite the drought that hit most countries in the southern African region.

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA), a government agency that manages agricultural produces, had bought about 193,923 tons of maize from farmers as at August 18 to storage in its reserves.

It intends to purchase about 1 million tons of maize for storage in its reserves.

Source : XINHUA