Zambia is among six southern African countries gripped by biting food shortages caused by both drought and poor farm policies. Zambia and Zimbabwe, which are among the worst affected by the shortages, reject GM food aid.

"In partnership with the private sector, the government will explore the possibilities of sourcing the maize from Kenya and Tanzania and in the shortest possible timeframe will mobilise resources to ensure that the stock is sourced from these two countries," Kasonde said in a statement.

"Business entities from Tanzania have offered to supply good quality natural maize in good quantities in order to ease the problem the country is facing as a result of the current shortage," Kasonde said in a statement.

"I am pleased with the offers because they will give us an opportunity to identify cost-effective, in terms of purchase cost and haulage and delivery, sources of maize in meeting our requirements," he said, adding that he saw purchases from Kenya and Tanzania meeting all of Zambia's current requirements. Kenya's High Commission in Lusaka confirmed that Kenya had a maize surplus and was keen to sell to Zambia.

"We have been blessed with a good harvest for the past three consecutive years and when a fellow African country is in problems, we must help. We will help Zambia with natural food," Kenyan High Commissioner (ambassador) in Lusaka Esther Mshai Tolleh told Reuters.

Zambia faces a maize deficit of 630,000 tonnes.

Capricious weather - a combination of drought and floods in key growing areas - reduced Zambia's food production to 490,000 tonnes from 700,000 tonnes in the 2000/2001 season.

Drought in farming districts during the 2001/2002 season has further stressed the Zambian maize market.

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa declared a national hunger disaster in May, saying up to four million people faced starvation.

Last month Mwanawasa said Zambia would not accept GM maize until it held its own tests to determine whether it was safe for human consumption.

The WFP said last week it would divert 42,000 tonnes GM maize initially destined for Zambia to other southern African countries faced with hunger if the government refused to accept it.

The U.S. similarly said it would divert 27,600 tonnes of GM maize to other countries if Zambia declined to take it.

Of southern African countries facing food shortages, Malawi, Mozambique and Lesotho unconditionally accept GM maize, according to U.S. and relief agencies in the region.