10m tonne maize target achievable -- Mulobela

By MUBITA KATETE

ZAMBIA'S target of producing 10 million tonnes of maize annually under the Grow Zambia Agenda is achievable and could unlock up to US$1 billion in export earnings, State House has said.

Whitney Mulobela, the State House Chief Communication Strategist says the 10 million tonnes maize target is key not only to achieving national food security but also to boosting foreign exchange earnings, creating jobs and positioning the country as a major regional maize exporter.

He said the country's current average production of three to four million tonnes in a good farming season, coupled with last season's 5.1 million-tonne harvest, demonstrated that it had the potential to achieve the ambitious target.

"Last season's 5.1 million-tonne harvest clearly demonstrates that the 10 million-tonne target is achievable," Mr Mulobela said.

He said producing 10 million tonnes would enable the country to feed its citizens, supply schools under the Free Education policy and meet the needs of livestock feedlots, while maintaining a three million-tonne strategic reserve.

Mr Mulobela said the 2024 drought had demonstrated the devastating consequences of maize shortages, making increased production critical to safeguarding the country's food security.

He said the production target would also open up opportunities for the country to supply regional markets, particularly countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which collectively import substantial quantities of white maize annually.

Mr Mulobela noted that some of these countries sourced maize from as far as Mexico and Ukraine at approximately US$400 per tonne, while Zambia could potentially supply the commodity at between US$260 and US$280 per tonne from its agricultural production centres.

He said exporting between three and four million tonnes of maize annually could generate between US$840 million and US$1.12 billion in foreign exchange earnings.

"Exporting three to four million tonnes could earn Zambia between US$840 million and US$1.12 billion annually in foreign exchange, even before value addition," he said.

Mr Mulobela said more opportunities existed in value addition through mealie meal, livestock feed, starch, ethanol and locally branded cereals for regional markets.

He called on Zambian businesses to take a more active role in the agricultural sector, urging seed companies, millers, transporters and community banks to move beyond trading and invest in actual production.

Ends.