11/07/2021
In Zambia we have many places which grow rice but not so pronounced.
On my tour to learn about rice this is what I got from Tanzania.
Rice production keeps on increasing because they keep on learning how to grow it better. The more reason you will buy rice in Tanzania all year round.
Rice is one of the staple food in Tanzania but at no point will you hear that there is export ban to preserve for national home consumption.
Export of rice is not just a preserve of government but farmers are able to sell to who ever they so wish at there determined price.
When you want to buy rice in Tanzania at least you will find it in most designated points which becomes easier to buy in bulk.
Small Scale Farmers have invested in processing and polishing machines which in turn makes the price to go up.
Tanzanians do even come to Zambia to buy raw rice then take it for processing and polishing then sell it back to Zambians.
Tanzanians do also buy raw rice in bulk from Malawi then process it and then resell to Zambians.
As Zambians let us invest in those processing/polishing machines and find central place to be known for selling rice in bulk. Let us then go out wherever rice is grown in Zambia, Tanzania or Malawi and buy it raw then come and process/polish it here then repackage for sell locally or even export. This will push growing rice even in Zambia to rise. Let Kasumbalesa also start stocking Zambian rice for sell to Congo.
Western Province rice commonly known as "Mongu Rice", Chama Rice, Isoka Rice, Nakonde Rice needs to be explored to enhance production not only for local but export as well.
If only the way they sell rice at Tunduma could be the way we sell maize at Kasumbalesa, farmers would have been realising something out of their maize.
