According to his growing season’s first Round of Agricultural production survey, maize production is up by 8.8%, in comparison to last growing season.

Figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development show that 3 691 866 metric tonnes of maize will be produced in the 2019/2020 growing season an improvement from 3 391 924 metric tonnes in the 2018/2019 growing season.

The above has been attributed the increase to favourable weather conditions and increased uptake of inputs by farmers. On the other hand, the survey shows an increase in cereals, legumes, roots and tubers; livestock and fisheries production.

Meanwhile, due to scarcity of maize in the country, the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) has announced buying 5 000 metric tonnes (MT) of maize from suppliers. Admarc acting chief executive officer Felix Jumbe outlined that the adjustment of the prices from K250 to K310 per kilogram (kg) attracted many suppliers.