Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Maize output to decline

Maize output to decline
January 8, 2009

Zambia is expected to record a decline in its maize output under the 2007/2008 Agricultural season. The Crop Forecasting survey indicates that the output for the staple food crop will go down to about 1 point 2 million metric tonnes.

The decline is lower than the 1 point 4 million metric tonnes maize output recorded during the 2006/2007 Agricultural season.

The output for Soya beans, wheat, tobacco,sorghum and other crops is also expected to decline. This is according to a Central Statistical Office monthly bulletin for December, 2008.

Government recently allowed the Food Reserve Agency to import maize to beef up existing grains in strategic reserves.

And thirty three agricultural co-operatives in Monze district have not received inputs under the Fertilizer Support Programme -FSP-.

Bweengwa Member of Parliament Highvie Hamududu says the 33 co-operatives comprise over 1-thousand farmers.

Mr. Hamududu says the affected peasant farmers are now in a state of panic.

He urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to quickly intervene and ensure that the inputs are delivered to the intended beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Brian Chituwo has instructed the Southern Province Agricultural Coordinator to immediately investigate the matter.

Dr. Chituwo regretted that the peasant farmers’ concerns have been brought to his attention towards the close of the Fertiliser Support Programme distribution exercise which ends on January 15.

[ZNBC]

Labels: COOPERATIVES, FERTILIZER, FSP, MAIZE

posted by MrK @ 5:18 PM