AMA lobbies for extra charges on imports

of protecting local producers.
The extra fee will be charged so that the final imported price is almost the same with the local producer prices.
Speaking at one of the consultative outreach programmes in Madziva recently, AMA chief executive officer, Mr Rockie Mutenha said the move had been taken as a result of continuous outcry from farmers who felt imports were destroying local markets.
“A number of farmers are complaining that they are failing to market their produce at the local markets as many people now prefer imports which are cheaper. This has resulted in our farmers failing to realise profits from their produce while others are getting discouraged to continue producing,” he said.
Mr Mutenha said some of the imported agriculture commodities were not paying duty resulting in the commodities landing cheaply.
“Some local millers are now importing grain from neighbouring countries when our farmers are stuck with grain and having difficulties establishing markets,” he said.
The surcharges will be channelled towards boosting agricultural production so that the country will reduce food imports.
“The money will be used to procure inputs, machinery among other things so that our local farmers can improve on production and there will not be any need to import food,” he said.
AMA is holding outreach programmes in different parts of the country to educate farmers about the authority and how farmers can benefit from it.
“We are going out to farmers, introducing the authority, outlining the functions and also hearing farmers challenges so that we will be in the best way to assist them,” he said.