ZNFU quells Soweto market ‘onion’ feud

BENNIE MUNDANDO writes THE Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) says it has quelled a possible stand-off between farmers and traders at Soweto market in Lusaka over the trade of onions. ZNFU president Jervis Zimba yesterday said his organisation, together with the Lusaka City Council (LCC), weathered the storm between onion farmers and traders that was brewing at Soweto market. Mr Zimba said a meeting was called on Tuesday at the Lusaka Civic Centre to resolve the differences and that among the attendants was Lusaka City Mayor Miles Sampa, council directors, ZNFU director-commodities Maria Zaloumis, and onion farmers’ representatives and traders. He said it was resolved that pricing for onion would be determined according to supply and demand, hence, farmers will wholesale their product to traders. Mr Zimba said it was also resolved that anyone selling more than 50 pouches of onion would be deemed a wholesaler. He said retailers and agents, selling on behalf of the farmers, would need to register with the council and pay a levy, and will be given an official certification to keep trading at the market. “It was also resolved that the Lusaka City Council working in collaboration with ZNFU will develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the end of July. “Compliance to phytosanitary standards will also need to be worked on in order to deter uncertified crop from unknown sources from finding its way on the market and to prevent the country from being exposed to the risk of importing crop diseases,” Mr Zimba said. The Sun