The Government of the Republic of Zambia has announced a significant rebound in maize production for the 2024/2025 agricultural season, marking a critical step forward in national food security following the severe drought of the previous year.
Officiating at the release of the 2024/2025 Crop Forecast Survey results at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Acting Minister of Agriculture Hon. Silvia Masebo, M.P., hailed the resilience of Zambian farmers and the coordinated efforts of government agencies in turning around the country’s agricultural fortunes.
According to figures presented by the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS), maize production has reached 3,655,645 metric tonnes—representing a substantial increase compared to the 2023/2024 season, which was marred by drought and food insecurity affecting an estimated six million citizens.
The national food balance sheet for the 2025/2026 agricultural marketing season indicates a total maize supply of 4,040,645 metric tonnes against national requirements of 3,539,024 metric tonnes, resulting in a surplus of 501,621 metric tonnes. This surplus is expected to meet both human consumption and industrial needs.
Despite the maize bumper harvest, the country faces projected deficits in other staple crops: rice (55,138 metric tonnes), wheat (327,938 metric tonnes), and cassava flour (636,921 metric tonnes). To address these shortfalls, the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing production-enhancing programmes.
In managing the surplus, the Government will prioritise strengthening storage infrastructure and expanding market access for farmers. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that trade policies remain consistent and predictable to attract private sector participation and support sustainable agricultural growth.
Minister Masebo attributed the bumper harvest to the successful implementation of President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive encouraging citizens to return to farming despite challenging climatic conditions. She noted that a multisectoral team had been mobilised to implement the national disaster mitigation and response plan, which played a vital role in averting hunger-related deaths.
The Acting Minister commended the determination of the nation’s farmers and urged them not to succumb to panic or sell their produce at unreasonably low prices. She called on the private sector to continue playing a central role in agricultural marketing, assuring stakeholders of the Government’s commitment to fostering a stable and supportive agricultural environment.
GroundTruth Zambia | 22nd May, 2025.
