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Winter maize production plays a vital role in improving the country’s food security and helping Zambia achieve its target of producing 10 million tonnes per year.
For many years, Zambia has relied heavily on rain-fed maize production, resulting in lower maize yields in the country when rainfall is low.
This year, the country has been hit by drought and corn production has dropped from more than 3 tons per year to 1.5 million tons.
Currently, the government has formulated a plan to import corn to improve food security.
President Hakainde Hichilema has called for an increase in winter maize production to boost food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
He stressed that winter maize production is crucial to increasing food supply, reducing dependence on imports, improving farmers’ income, promoting economic growth and ensuring food self-sufficiency.
Research shows that winter corn yields are higher due to cooler temperatures and higher soil moisture, increasing the supply of corn for consumption and storage.
By growing corn during the winter, farmers can harvest outside of the traditional rainy season, reducing the seasonality of corn supply and ensuring a more consistent supply year-round.
The Zambia Small Scale Farmers Association said winter maize production provides farmers with an additional source of income, contributing to improved livelihoods and economic stability.
Frank Kayula, president of the National Association of Smallholder Farmers, said winter maize production could be combined with other crops and farming practices to promote diversification and resilience in agricultural systems.
Both commercial and small-scale farmers responded to the call and made great strides in winter maize production.
Zambeef has planted more than 1,000 hectares of winter maize to help improve food security following crop failures in the country due to drought.
The company’s head of corporate affairs and sustainability, Ezekiel Sekele, said winter maize is growing well and a good harvest is expected.
Mr Sekler said the company has planted 1,200 trees in Chiawa, Kafue and 130 hectares in Mpongwe district.
He said trials were being carried out on 130 hectares of land in Mpongwe to see how the crop would grow in areas that had experienced warmer weather this year.
“In Mpongwe, this is the first time we are planting winter maize and we want to see how the crop will perform, but we see that the crop is growing well due to the slightly warmer weather this year,” he said.
Mr Sekele said the company expected to produce 700 tonnes of maize on a trial basis at the Mponwe farm.
He said the company expects production from the Chiawa farm to exceed 7,000 tonnes.
Mr. Sekler said 800 hectares of winter maize in Chiawa are for consumption, while 400 hectares are used to produce maize seed for a local seed company.
He said Zambeef has been growing winter maize in Chiawa due to the high winter temperatures there.
Mr Sekele said winter maize was a difficult crop to grow because cooler temperatures stunted its growth.
He said the company would strive to grow corn throughout the year to ensure food security for the country.
Some farmers in Lundazi district of Eastern Province use wetlands in the area for winter maize production.
This winter, three cooperatives are planting maize at the Capichira Agricultural Camp with support from Zambezi Seeds and Synergy.
The district agriculture coordinator, Edward Hachuundu, said maize was growing well and a good harvest was expected.
Dr. Haciundu said in an interview that the area is rich in wetlands suitable for the production of food crops such as maize throughout the year.
“After the drought, many farmers are willing to respond to the president’s call and start planting winter maize. The three cooperatives in Lundazi have set the tone,” he said.
Dr Hachuundu said 10,000 farmers have been registered in the region who need government support to grow winter maize.
He said the government was providing irrigation loans to farmers so that they could grow food throughout the year.
The Buy Maize campaign said it was pleased to see President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision becoming a reality to grow winter maize to improve food security following the worst drought in the country in more than 40 years.
Founder of the campaign, Evans Ngoma, said many small-scale and commercial farmers responded to the President’s call and started planting winter maize with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and agricultural supplier companies such as Zambezi Seeds and Synergy.
“Through efforts like these, we believe Buy Zed can transform our country into a regional food basket that is resilient even in natural disasters,” he said.
Mr Ngoma said Buy Zed was ready to support farmers in winter food production through market awareness and linkages.
By increasing winter maize production, Zambia can improve food security, reduce dependence on imports, and enhance the overall well-being of its citizens.
To boost winter maize production, the government, through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Committee, is supporting agricultural mechanization and irrigation systems for solar-powered irrigation systems covering an area of up to five hectares.
Agricultural mechanization supports small agricultural equipment loans of no more than 1 million Myanmar Kyats each with a term of 5 years.
Small and Medium Enterprise Development Minister Elias Mubanga has urged small-scale farmers to avail loans to invest in winter crop production.
Mr Mubanga said winter maize production would not only increase food security but also improve their incomes and livelihoods.
The minister said the government’s goal is to benefit 50,000 small-scale farmers across the country, and 1,000 have already started benefiting.
“We want to ensure that farmers get more production throughout the year, rain or no rain. We are working with the agriculture department to provide these irrigation loans through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Council (CEEC),” he said.
By increasing winter maize production, Zambia can improve food security, reduce dependence on imports, and enhance the overall well-being of its citizens.
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