Southern Africa is set to record a bumper harvest after receiving good rainfall in the 2016/17 agricultural season, according to the latest crop assessments reports. The SADC Food Security Quarterly Update released in March 2017 shows that countries such as Malawi and South Africa have published their preliminary production estimates indicating high chances of bumper harvests.
In Malawi, the first round crop production estimates show an increase in most crops, including the staple food, maize. Maize production in the country is estimated at 3,2 million tonnes, up by 36 percent from 2,4 million tonnes last season.
In South Africa, crop production estimates show an increase of most crops. Maize production is estimated at 13,9 million tonnes, up by 79 percent from 7,8 million tonnes last season. The two countries alone are looking at producing a total of 17 million tonnes, which is more than half of the region’s average annual maize production of about 30 million tonnes.
Agricultural production in Zambia is expected to increase from last season, when the country recorded an average of 2,7 million tonnes of maize despite the occurrence of drought.
source: herald.co.zw
