May 18, 2009

Zambia's 2008-09 (February-March) wheat output is expected to increase 5.4 percent on the year due to favourable weather and improved use of fertilizers in the country, the minster of agriculture and cooperatives said Friday (May 15).

In a statement, Brian Chituwo said wheat output is expected to reach 195,000 tonnes compared with 185,000 tonnes produced last season. The number of farmers operating under the government's Fertilizer Support Program had also increased to 200,000 from 125,000 last season, leading to increases in production of crops such as corn, wheat, beans and cassava, Chituwo said.

Zambia's annual wheat consumption is estimated at 210,000 tonnes. The country is expected to have a surplus of over 50,000 tonnes of wheat due to up to 65,000 tonnes of carryover stocks from last season, Chituwo said.

In March, Zambia's farmers' body asked the government to restrict wheat imports to aid local farmers.