August 2003 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket: JCTR Basic Needs Basket Records Low Mealie Meal Price, Other Food Iterms Remain High
Abstract
This is according to the Basic Needs Basket, the JCTR monthly estimation of the cost of living for a family of six in Lusaka. Once again the Basket has recorded some reduction in the price of mealie meal. The price of mealie meal has declined by K3,500, moving from K30,500 for the month of June to K27,000 for the month of July. “While this reduction is a positive outcome, particularly in the urban setting, there must be a balance in which such a situation is taking care of the interests of both the producers of maize, especially the small-scale farmers, and the urban consumers,” says Muweme Muweme, Coordinator of the Social Conditions Research Project of the JCTR. This reduction could be a reflection of a very low price at which the maize is being acquired. This may be because the small-scale farmers are unable to store the maize for sale later when the price is favourable. They may also have to sell even at a lower price than the recommended “floor price” of K30,000 because of other pressing household needs.
Description
The JCTR conducts the Basic Needs Basket survey as a way of highlighting the daily challenges that the majority of Zambian households encounter in trying to meet decent sustainable livelihoods. “The inability,” states Muweme, “to lead decent lives on account of meeting food as well as non-food requirements in sufficient ways has unfortunately been one of the most prominent failures of the Zambian society. As a consequence, it must be taken into serious consideration during the current contentious discussions on civil servants wages and conditions of service.