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Authorities in Zimbabwe have announced a ban on the export of maize in a bid to sustain the country’s food security status.

Zimbabwe is currently facing economic challenges and struggling to make gains.

The government is hoping restricting export of the grain will provide enough buffer.

Offenders will face a fine or imprisonment of up to two years.

Authorities have also restricted the buying and selling of corn between private individuals and companies.

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Such an exercise will only be handled moving forward by the state owned Grain Marketing Board, making it the sole buyer of corn.

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Perrance Shiri said on Friday that “No person or statutory body or company or entity shall buy or otherwise acquire any maize from any farmer or producer otherwise than through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).”

There are fears Zimbabwe will record significant reduction in corn production this crop season due to the late onset of rains across the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture of Zimbabwe estimated that maize production stands at 776, 635 tonnes, which is 54% less than the 1,700,702 tonnes obtained during the 2017/18 season.

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Source: Africafeeds.com