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Reduction in Maize Production Triggers Hunger Warning-JCTR

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Press Release 14th June, 2018.

Climate change is a significant developmental challenge both globally and locally. It puts at risk efforts aimed at reducing poverty and stifles progress towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. The effects of climate change include changes in the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and ground-level ozone concentrations.

They also include changes in average temperatures and rainfall patterns. Zambia is not spared from the impact of climate change. In recent years Zambia has continued to experience droughts, seasonal floods and flush floods, extreme temperatures and dry spells. The Agriculture sector, particularly crop farming is the most affected sector in Zambia as it depends on rainfall due to the country’s limited irrigation capacity. Any significant changes in agriculture production inevitably have a bearing on the country’s economy given that the agriculture sector contributes 18 – 20% of GDP and employs 70% of the labour force, most of which are women and children.

According to the latest crop forecast survey released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia is expected to record about 2,394,907 metric tonnes of maize in the 2017-2018 agricultural season, representing 33.9% decline from last year’s record bumper harvest of 3,606,549 tonnes. This means that Zambia has failed to produce over three million metric tonnes of maize for the first time in three years, making this year’s harvest the lowest since the 2014-2015 season when the country produced 2,618,221 tonnes of maize.

The reduction in the total maize production and yields for the 2017-2018 season, is largely due to the prolonged dry spells that were experienced between November 2017 and January 2018. This may adversely affect the price of the staple food and consequently increase the cost of living that in the last two months has showed stability, if not well managed.

The May 2018 JCTR Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for a family of five living in Lusaka stood at K5,369 which was K64 less than the April BNB which stood at K5,433. The most significant reduction was noted in Kapenta which decreased by K13 from K182 in April to K169 in May per kg. Vegetables reduced by K8 from K16 in April to K8 in May per kg. Tomatoes decreased by K7 from K17 in April to K10 in May per kg. The reduction in the prices of the commodities was influenced by increased supply on the market.

In the light of the latest crop forecast survey projecting the reduction of maize production in the 2017-2018 agricultural season, we forecast a rise in the cost of Mealie meal which will inevitably affect the costs of other essential commodities and services. The JCTR urges government to begin to prepare now on how it is going to address this rise in the cost of mealie meal. As the adage says, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. The crop forecast survey by the Ministry of Agriculture should serve its purpose of helping the nation manage the maize output reduction. We expect the government and its agencies to demonstrate leadership in this preparedness to avert unnecessary suffering during the lean months.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Good job JCTR. But tell us, what is our consumption??? I know that figure stands at 1.5m tonnes. Thus this year’s output is still above demand, no?? Yes, with climate change at play, better planning is required but there’s no cause for alarm. GRZ can also restrict exports to avert hunger

  2. Talk about FIC if u serious about the causes of hunger in Zambia. The problem with JCTR is that the Jesuit priest, in charge, loves money too much and I’m sure he is involved in some corruption done in Zambia.

  3. ‘In the light of the latest crop forecast survey projecting the reduction of maize production in the 2017-2018 agricultural season, we forecast a rise in the cost of Mealie meal which will inevitably affect the costs of other essential commodities and services.’ I do not agree with this statement. Are we coming from a zero maize stock in this country? If the country consumes about one million plus and yet projected yield is over two million, then where is the crises? Just remind government to limit on exports by increasing the quantities stored for local consumption in light of the climate change variations. it is like FRA just buys what they country consumes not taking into consideration ati teti iloke mailo . Calls for serious planning and forecasting.

  4. There is an emotional commitment to growing maize, because it used to be illegal, and maize production was suppressed. However, root crops have far higher yields than grains.

    Having said, more idle land can be put into production, by increasing the land’s water holding capacity, making it less dependent on rainfall. However, that takes a minor investment, which the National Service could contribute to.

  5. Production has fallen by 33%. Whose fault is that. Don’t blame dry spells because Farmers who planted still got good harvests despite the dry spell. The problem was the low floor price offered by government which made Farmers abandon growing maize for sell but just enough for their own consumption.So this was another ploy by the government to cause artificial shortages so that somebody can import at astronomical prices under the guise of controlling hunger and line their pockets. This are part of austerity measures.

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