September 5, 2014

Zambia will acquire more corn from local farmers this year, at a higher record than the 500,000 tonnes it usually keeps for strategic reserves, according to Wylbur Simuusa, the country's minister of agriculture.

Simuusa added that the state-run Food Reserve Agency (FRA) was overwhelmed by requests from small-scale farmers who wanted to sell their corn.

"Within one month of opening (corn) buying in July, the FRA bought the targeted 500,000 tonnes but we can't just abandon these small-scale farmers," the minister said. "Of course, there are good prospects in neighbouring markets within our region but it is difficult for small-scale farmers to reach those markets."

Zambia exports corn to other African countries, including Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi. The country's production rose over 30% in the 2013/2014 season from the last annual harvest, recording its biggest volumes of the grain on record.

Corn output rose to 3.3 million tonnes, from 2.5 million tonnes in the 2012/2013 season.