1.7 Million Tonnes of Maize Projected This Farming Season

The Ministry of Agriculture has projected a maize harvest of over 1.7 million metric tonnes for the 2023-2024 farming season. This forecast is based on agricultural records monitoring activities of the five provinces unaffected by drought.

According to Cornelius Mweetwa, Chief Government Spokesperson, the country currently holds a maize stockpile of 450,000 metric tonnes, which is expected to last for three months.

Mweetwa shared this information during an appearance on ZNBC's Sunday Interview programme, revealing the records from Saturday, March 16th.

The announcement reflects recent efforts to ensure food security in the country amidst challenges brought on by the drought which has destroyed 2.5 million acres planted with maize. Zambia has doubled its maize production over the past 20 years by increasing agricultural land and productivity. The country saw its most fruitful season in the 2021/2022 harvest, reaching 3.6 million tonnes of the crop. Using the reserves, the remaining harvest from the unaffected areas will be distributed across the nation. The projections for this coming harvest bring hope to the country after the drought was declared a national emergency at the end of February.