Maize production to increase by 36 percent

Tom Sangala February 24, 2017

289 1 minute read

The country’s maize production is expected to increase by 35.9 percent while tobacco production will decrease by 36.6 percent.

This is according to a statement released on Thursday by Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development on first round of 2016/17 Agriculture Production Estimates Survey.

The survey has projected the maize production increase at 3,220,712 metric tonnes which is higher than the 2015/16 final round estimate of 2,369,493 metric tonnes.

A statement signed by the Secretary of Agriculture, Erica Maganga, says last year, tobacco’s estimated production was pegged at 199 million kilogrammes but will be lower this year.

Cotton production is expected to go up by 7.6 percent.

The survey reveals that rice production is expected to go up by 41.5 percent while production of sweet potatoes is projected to increase by 27.6 percent.

Millet and sorghum production will increase by 118.6 percent and 79.3 percent respectively.

However, wheat production is projected to drop by 6.4 percent.

The results also show that production of groundnuts, beans and pigeon peas is expected to increase by 22.2, percent, 15 percent and 19.7 percent, respectively.

In terms of livestock, the population of cattle has increased from 1,470,895 to 1,508,299, representing a 2.5 percent increase as compared to the final round for the 2015/16 agricultural season.

The populations of goats and pigs have also increased by 5.0 percent and 14.6 percent.

Fish production for capture fisheries has increased by 8.4 percent and aquaculture fish production has also increased by 46.7 percent. Overall, fish production has increased by 10.0 percent.

The statement says the first round is conducted from September of the preceding year to January of the current year.

The first round estimates are based on farmers’ intentions on crops to be grown and their related hectarage.

She, however, says results of the first round provide early warning signals on national food security so that policy makers in the public, private and non state sectors can make informed decisions regarding impending food situation.

Maganga says the second round is conducted from February to March and focuses on verification and adjustment of area measurement for crops grown by the sampled agricultural households.