Dry Spell Giving Government Sleepless Nights

By Kalata News

Lusaka 20/02/24 –  THE dry spell being experienced in Zambia’s southern half of the country is giving the Zambian Government and farmers sleepless nights.

The country has experienced less than normal rain fall and many hectares of agricultural land currently have scotched crops. This is severe to farmers in Eastern, Southern, Central and Western Provinces. The Northern part has however continued to receive normal to good rains making the country have some hope that she might realise at least 50% of her maize harvest.

The Zambian Government of President Hakainde Hichilema is considering two options for the dry spell, namely importing more maize to cushion the expected low harvest or encourage farmers in the regions with plenty rains to plant more maize fields before the rains go. The second option might also include engaging commercial farmers with irrigation systems to grow winter maize for the country.

“Importing maize takes  between 3 to 4 months and so is growing maize. The big boss thinks that it would make economic sense to empower the local farmers to grow winter maize instead of importing maize,” explained the Government source.

It is yet to be seen by industry players including the grain marketing Associations, farmers unions and millers if this government plan is feasible.

Zambia is a maize crazy country and any shortages of this staple food can lead to political demonstration and unrest.

Recently, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Hon Makozo Chikote wondered why Zambia was not using the Northern region to grow all the rain fed agricultural crops and the hard hit areas with drought resistance crops.

“The signs are here that we need to invest more in the areas that have plenty of rains for us to be able to be food secure and feed the nation,” he told Ministry staff during the launch of the 5 year Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Strategic Plan.