Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa says the government is working around the clock to ensure that the country remains food secure, especially amid the dry spell currently being experienced across the country.

Mr Mweetwa stated that the government is aware and concerned that the prevailing uncertain weather is negatively affecting maize and other crop production, hence remains proactive with the response.

Mr Mweetwa noted that even when a post normal rainfall pattern is expected in January next year, it is anticipated that the country will experience another dry spell in February, 2025, the period when planted crops are expected to bloom.  

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, the Minister disclosed that during the 24th Cabinet meeting yesterday, President Hakainde Hichilema gave directives, and among them, that the state of national disaster and emergency situation remains in force until the country comes out of the circumstances.

He indicated that the defence forces have been directed to step up their food production activities in the Northern corridor of Zambia by means of irrigation, as the area is endowed with water bodies, favourable weather with fertile soils to support the initiative

He listed Luena farming block in Kawamba, Kalungwishi farming block in Mporokoso and Nansanga farming block in Serenje, as areas of concentration that have been identified for the enhanced defence force irrigation maize production. 

Mr Mweetwa added that in an effort to adapt to the challenges of climate change, every month should be considered a planting and harvest month, while the whole year a farming season. 

“Cabinet received information that many fields are beginning to wilt in terms of the crop that our farmers had planted for this farming season,” Mr Mweetwa said.

 

He noted that President Hichilema further directed the Ministry of Agriculture to expand the commercial farmers to go on contract farming and must be paid reasonably attractive enough to sustain irrigated maize production.

He revealed that the government, through the Food Reserve Agency, has since contracted 41 commercial farmers out of 57 who had expressed interest in participating in contract farming for the production of early maize, this farming season.

He stated that the 41 commercial farmers are expected to produce 145 thousand metric tons of maize, which is expected to be supplied to FRA.

“The President also directed the Ministry for Agriculture to engage all farmers with centre pivots and encourage them to which to maize production to promote national food security,” the Minister stated.

Mr Mweetwa further disclosed that as of December 12, 2024, the country has about 750 thousand MT of maize in stock, sufficient to take the nation for the next six months, in terms of maize and mealie meal requirements.

He added that the government contracted and paid for 195 thousand metric tonnes of maize from Tanzania worth USD 68 million United States dollars, and that 67 thousand has since been received and distributed accordingly.