Cereal farmers are opposed to the opening of a window for duty-free importation of maize noting that they have the capacity to fill the deficit.
The farmers want the government to address some of the issues affecting production such as VAT on farm inputs.
There have been reports that plans are underway to reopen a window for duty-free importation of maize to fill shortages of the grain that millers say the country is facing. Maize farmers are concerned by the reports and claim there are enough maize stocks to feed the nation until the next harvest.
The farmers led by Cereal Growers Association Chairman, Stephanus Kruger, are calling for finer details of the intended duty-free maize importation window.
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They want to know how long the window would be open and the number of bags that the government would be targeting to allow in.
The cereal farmers are also calling for more support to boost production.
They believe the removal of Value Added Tax on farm inputs and equipment would go a long way in boosting yields.
The farmers are also concerned that they are charged hefty charges such as agriculture produce cess when transporting produce across different counties.