November 6, 2013
Zimbabwe''s corn deficit reaches over one million tonnes
Following poor harvests and grain imports from neighbouring Zambia are unlikely to meet the country''s requirements, Zimbabwe is facing a corn deficit of over one million tonnes.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that at least 2.2 million people out of the country''s 13 million population will require food assistance this year.
"There is inadequate cereal to feed both people and livestock as the national strategic grain reserves have been depleted. Most farmers did not harvest enough food owing to the drought spell," the African Development Bank (AfDB) said in its latest report on Zimbabwe.
The agriculture ministry projected corn production of 798,600 tonnes in the 2012-13 cropping season against the national requirement of 1.8 million tonnes.
"Of the 150,000 tonnes the Government is expecting from Zambia, the Food Reserve Agency of Zambia has confirmed that only 12,000 tonnes have been dispatched and the balance will be sent by the end of the year. This leaves Zimbabwe with a huge food deficit for human consumption," said AfDB.
As a means of mitigating the effects of drought, the government needs to support the development and rehabilitation of the irrigation infrastructure, AfDB said.
"The current challenges can be resolved in the coming season if production of cereals receives adequate support from both government and private firms. It remains necessary for government to prioritise increased investment by resuscitating irrigation schemes and availing credit facilities and intensified extension services - to revive the once vibrant agriculture sector that could feed not only Zimbabwe but also a number of other countries in Southern Africa," AfDB commented.
The AfDB noted that local crops were declining, both in terms of volume and quality, with prices ranging from US$340/tonne to US$360/tonne.
According to the Stock Feed Manufacturers Association, there is a critical shortage of livestock feed in the country, and manufacturers are importing to cover the shortfall.
The association is lobbying government to get permission to import genetically modified corn from South Africa, which is slightly cheaper with landing costs of around US$317/tonne in Bulawayo and US$340/tonne in Harare.