AGRO-ECONOMIST URGES FARMERS TO VENTURE IN CROP DIVERSIFICATION

AN Agro-Economist Edify Hamukale has encouraged farmers to venture into crop diversification by producing other cereals and tubers in order to reduce dependence on maize.

Dr Hamukale says Zambia is highly dependent on maize production which is one of the contributing factors to the shortage of mealie meal in the country.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka Dr Hamukale encouraged farmers to venture into production of other crops that are rich in carbohydrate citing millet, sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes among others.

Dr Hamukale noted that producing more of other crops that are highly rich in carbohydrate can help to curb dependence on maize because there will be more options for cereals that supply carbohydrate for households.

He however, welcomed the government's plans to start importing mealie meal as it will help to solve the current shortage of the commodity.

Dr Hamukale noted that the importation of mealie meal should be a short-term measure because Zambia has the capacity to supply mealie meal in the country and export to other countries.

"The food balance sheet which is produced by the Ministry of Agriculture in the Central Statistics office is the best method to help the government project that much food needed to be produced in the country and much food should be reserved by the Food Reserve Agency.

I wish to see the importation of mealie meal as something temporary because the country has capacity to produce mealie for both local consumption and exportation," said Dr Hamukale.