SECURE MAIZE

AMIDST the uncertainties associated with the novel coronavirus pandemic that has turned the world’s economy upside down, Zambians appear to have been assured that they would have enough maize for consumption. And from the initial indications given, it is evident that Government has taken measures to ensure that the maize crop is secured, even taking note of smuggling that takes place. Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo has reported that the country has recorded a bumper harvest of 3.4 million tonnes of maize. While credit must go to farmers – commercial and small-scale – for the produce, Government must also be commended for creating an ideal environment that made the work of farmers easy. Government ensured that agro inputs were distributed early under the Farmer Input Support Programme and that they reached the intended target. Our concern now however is to impress upon Government to ensure that the harvest is properly secured considering the upheavals that the country has had to contend with. Zambians should remember that the country not only experienced severe drought in some regions, but also experienced devastating flooding in other parts of the country. And against this background, Government has had to intervene and send relief food to the affected areas. Illegal smuggling has also taken a toll on the country’s maize stock. But we are elated that Government is taking precautions to ensure that there is proper accountability for the bumper harvest. Mr Katambo, speaking during the crop forecast survey for the 2019 and 2020 said the Ministry of Agriculture plans to buy 1, 000, 000 metric tonnes of maize for the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in the cereal balance sheet this year. Mr. Katambo said FRA’s target has been 500, 000 metric tonnes. He said that the surplus was expected to be more than 710, 000 metric tonnes. Mr. Katambo said that despite factoring in the higher FRA maize purchase target of 1m metric tonnes, the country had still managed to record a maize surplus of over 210, 000 metric tonnes in 2020. “What this now implies is that the country is food secure and will remain as such for the next year to come, provided smuggling is controlled. “With a projected population of over 17 million people, the total maize required is 3, 356, 617 metric tonnes.” Considering the lambasting that Government has received from certain quarters over its “poor” agricultural policies, Mr Katambo should be proud of this achievement. If anything, the minister has conceded that the yield could even have been higher. According to Mr. Katambo although the national average yield rate for maize has increased to 2.07 metric tonnes per hectare from 1.29 metric tonnes per hectare last season, the yield per hectare is still very low, and can do better as a country. Thus the ministry has its work cut out, to improve on this and ensure that farmers make the best of the nation’s resources. Zambia, as Mr Katambo noted during the crop forecasting survey briefing, must be a net exporter of maize and other crops. Being a land-linked country, there is a ready market from all the eight neighbouring countries especially from the Congo DR. Open trade must be encouraged with the Congo DR as opposed to the present set up where the bulk of Zambia’s maize is transported across the porous border for smuggling is the biggest threat to ensuring food security in Zambia.