(Ecofin Agency) - In Zambia, dry weather is a threat to maize output, in this 2017-18 season. The production could indeed fall from 3.6 million tons to 1.8-2 million tons if drought currently recorded in the main production areas persists till February.

“A lot of the maize crop had wilted and this is very bad because it has hit the maize belt. If this trend continues into February, we are in trouble,” said Calvin Kaleyi, Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) spokesman, concerned.  

This high fluctuation in production from one year to another is one on the consequences of the country’s dependence to rainfed maize.

The crop, produced in almost all regions by small-scale farmers, provides more than half of consumed calories in the country.

Espoir Olodo