Ministry of Agriculture has hinted at a critical food insecurity situation ahead and cautioned farmers against selling their fresh maize produce to vendors.

In a statement yesterday, Secretary for Agriculture Dickxie Kampani said the situation is being worsened by sale and theft of green as well as partially dry maize, warning that the law will deal with those engaging in these malpractices.

He said: “This malpractice may put the nation in a critical situation of food insecurity.

“The Ministry of Agriculture is seriously warning all unscrupulous buyers involved in this malpractice including thieves who engage in stealing the maize crop from farmers whilst in the field that the law will take its course once found.”

Kampani said to improve food availability in the face of the prolonged dry spells, flash floods and other drastic climatic circumstances, farmers should preserve the maize grain after harvest.

He said: “Engage in production of sweet potatoes, cassava and cowpea wherever possible. Those with access areas that may have residual moisture and those with irrigation facilities are encouraged to fully utilise these areas.”

Meanwhile, agriculture expert Leonard Chimwaza has urged farmers to engage in residual moisture crop production  and intensive irrigation farming.

He said: “Farmers must plan ultra-early maize maturing varieties, but also drought-tolerant food crops like cassava, sweet potatoes, cowpeas and millet.

“A special task force to oversee the implementation of the plan needs to be constituted. This task force must have representation from both NGOs, government technicians and local leaders. This will help in balanced implementation of the plan.”

Chimwaza called for an increase in funding towards purchasing maize grain from K12 billion to K50 billion as this will give National Food Reserve Agency an upper hand on the market.

In February, Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale admitted that actual maize production this year will be lower than figures indicated in the first round of crop estimates released last month due to continued dry spells nationwide.

The estimates show that maize production will reach 3 608 862 metric tonnes (MT), representing a 2.8 percent increase from 3 509 837MT recorded in the final round of 2022/23 crop estimates.

There are also expected decreases in cassava and sweet potatoes which are deemed alternatives to maize as well as pineapple production by 6.6 percent, 1.5 percent and 48.1 percent respectively.

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