via Concern raised over low average yield 25 November 2014
Government has raised concern over the prevailing low average maize yield pegged at 0,85 tonnes per hectare which is believed to be impeding on the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
The agricultural sector has been grappling with a low national average maize yield for the past few years, with farmers failing to meet the country’s food requirements.
From an average peak of 1,7 tonnes per hectare in 1987, production has since dwindled to 0,85 tonnes per hectare.
The Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development responsible for livestock, Cde Paddy Zhanda said there is need to beef up the production of maize to enhance competitiveness as low output affects the whole industry, particularly livestock production.
“The low average national yield of 0,85 tonnes per hectare has adversely affected the cost of production of milk, the cost of production of any thing in the agric sector and if we continue to produce in this manner, we will never be competitive,” he said.
Farmer co-operatives said the low yield is mainly driven by the inability of small holder farmers to access adequate inputs on time.
Last year, the country harvested 1,4 million tonnes but the country has potential to produce 2,6 million tonnes, exceeding national requirements if farmers increase their maize yield per hectare.
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