Mr Lubinda told Parliament in a ministerial statement yesterday that the forecast indicated an output of 2,873,052 tonnes, an increase of 9.73 percent from the 2,618,221 tonnes produced last year.
“The national food balance sheet for the 2016/2017 marketing season based on the crop forecasting survey shows that the country has produced sufficient maize for both human consumption and industrial use. “The country also has a maize carry-over stock amounting to 667.524 tonnes as at May 1, 2016,” Mr Lubinda said.
He said of the carry-over stock, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) was holding 360,648 tonnes, the Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) 207,771, Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) 36,701 while small and medium scale farmers held 38,751 tonnes. Mr Lubinda said when the maize carry-over stock from last season is added to the maize production for the 2015/2016 agricultural season, the total supply of maize available for the 2016/2017 marketing season is 3,540,577 tonnes.
“For the current population, the food balance sheet shows that the total maize required for human consumption, industrial use and other commitments amounts to 2,887,810 tonnes.
“The total maize requirements include an anticipated national strategic reserve stock of 500,000 tonnes to be held by FRA and when the total maize requirements are subtracted from the total availability of the crop, the country has recorded a maize surplus of 634,681 tonnes,” he said.
Mr Lubinda, who reiterated that the country was food secure, also announced anticipated improved yield for other crops including; rice, sweet potatoes, wheat, sorghum and groundnuts while that of millet and tobacco will reduce.
So at PF is working when it is the small and medium farmers working
The same bakachema they sneer at day and night are allowing these PFools to export and accumulate fortunes. PF are a disgraceful bunch of crooks.
Why let a man who is accused of corruption do the maize stock taking? Can we trust his findings or report? First things first, Mr Lubinda must step aside and let the investigations of corruption begin. Once he is clean, he can be reinstated.
Then we will export it again after elections and Zambians will run to and from looking for millie meal again.
I have no respect for this guy anymore. Who is he trying to cheat. Can he provide physical evidence of his assertions. Stop misleading people Given. You are a smart man, why are around someone like Lungu
BO Lubinda. Can you please stop cheating the nation. What maize surplus and from where? Who conducted the surv
Stop with the lies. Do a survey first! You have already lied about the maize stocks – stop cheating the people !!!!!
Do you still trust this guy?
So the monkey is doing the maize stocktaking for the year…really laughable!!
In Adversity to the stars. It all comes righteous in the end. Thanks Farmers!
I wouldn’t trust this Corrupt spiv
Lubinda as far as I could throw him!
Lesson 1: How can one tell a P.F. official is telling porkies??
Answer: His lips begin to move.
This is good news surely?? I mean Maize is bumper crop this year! Why do Gov’t haters celebrate the potential downfall of Zambia and the hardship starvation of citizens in order to win votes. It’s really weird.
Have you eaten today? Thank the farmer especially kachema if u had t-bone or milk…!
Upnd fools always insulting and negative about everything even if it’s there for the naked eye to see. Ingrates