January 6, 2011

Zambia's 2011 corn yield expected to rise 11% on-year

Zambia's 2011 corn output is seen to rise by at least 11% on-year due to favourable weather and timely distribution of farming inputs, the Ministry of Agriculture and co-operatives said Wednesday (Jan 5).

Corn, the staple food of Zambia's 12 million people, is one of the major determinants in the country's inflation rate. Increasing consumer prices are cited by miners' unions in their current demands for pay rises above the rate of inflation.

The ministry forecast that the country will produce at least three million tonnes of corn this year, compared with around 2.7 million tonnes produced in 2010 due to favourable weather in the main corn growing regions.

The government has almost doubled the number of farmers helped by a state-funded support programme and now at least one million farmers are benefiting from the scheme, which distributes subsidised inputs like fertilisers, planting materials and pesticides.

Well-distributed rains in most parts of Zambia are favouring the ongoing sowing season, boosting the prospects for the 2011 crop, the state-run Food Reserve Agency said.

Last year, Zambia had a record corn harvest resulting in a surplus of at least one million tonnes. The FRA purchased the bulk of the excess corn and the remainder is expected to be exported mainly to regional markets.

The forecasts come as Zambian miners' unions are negotiating with various copper mining companies for pay increments citing inflationary pressure and the high cost of living. Union representatives are pushing for pay rises above the country's inflation rate.

According to Zambia's Central Statistics office, the country's inflation in December 2010 increased to 7.9% from 7.1% in November.

Zambia is Africa's largest copper producer.