Zambia records high estimated maize supply

Zambia anticipates a total of 3.6 million metric tonnes of maize harvest from the 2024/2025 farming season.

Speaking during the announcement of the results for the 2024/2025 farming season by Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS) in Lusaka yesterday, acting Agriculture Minister Silvia Masebo said the estimate had shown that the country was going to produce enough for human and industrial consumption.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the national food balance sheet of the 2024/2025 agriculture marketing season based on crop forecasting survey, shows that the country has produced sufficient maize, for both human consumption and industrial use,” Masebo said. “The total maize supply is estimated at 4,040,654 matric tonnes, with national requirements of 3,539,024 matric tonnes, this results in a surplus of 501, 621 matric tonnes.

“However, we anticipate deficit in rice of 55, 138 matric tonnes, wheat of 327,938 matric tonnes, and cassava floor 636,921,” Masebo said.

Masebo urged farmers not to sell their produce at give away prices but instead protect the harvest from pests disease to ensure food security for all .

And Zambia statistics Agency Acting Statistician general Sheila Mudenda says 93 percent of maize production came from small scale farmers with large scale farms accounting for 17 percent .

She says central province is expected to produce the highest maize output at 680,08550 while western provinces will record the lowest at 93,965.77.