1 million Mt wheat target by 2031 is achievable – GTAZ

Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) has […]

Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) has indicated that the 1 million metric tonnes of wheat production by 2031 set by President Hakainde Hichilema is achievable looking at the current interventions being put in place.

Meanwhile, a check by the Zambian Business Times-ZBT on the 2025/2026 crop forecast survey revealed that Zambia’s wheat production is expected to decrease to 81 thousand metric tonnes in the 2025/2026 farming season from 171 thousand in the 2024/2025 farming season.

Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, GTAZ Executive Secretary, Yotam Mkandawire said the target is achievable but would depend on several factors, particularly the access to water and irrigation infrastructure.

“Yes, it is achievable but, of course, there are so many other variables to consider,” said Mkandawire.

 He added that the Government’s efforts to construct dams could provide the water needed to expand wheat production, as most of the crop depends on irrigation.

 “One of the things which I believe government is doing is to build dams so that the farmers should be able to harvest the rain water, because 85% or more of wheat production is dependent on irrigation,” said Mkandawire.

He told ZBT that Zambia is also expanding the production of wheat beyond commercial farmers by bringing in small-scale farmers into wheat production. “Small-scale farmers are being engaged now, but previously it was predominantly grown by the commercial farmers,” said Mkandawire.

However, he warned that climate change and the projected El Niño conditions could affect production during the 2027/2028 farming season through reduced water availability.

“The 2027/2028 season, that’s where we should probably expect a reduction in terms of production because of the El Niño, we may not have sufficient rains to allow our dams accumulate enough water, and help our farmers to run their irrigation machines to grow the wheat and be able to harvest substantial quantities of wheat,” said Mkandawire.

GTAZ Executive Secretary stated that inadequate water would negatively impact electricity generation and compound the challenges because farmers require power to pump water for irrigation, although some may have solar-powered irrigation system but issues of sustainability could be an issue.

“They may not have the power just enough, or maybe some of them have even gone solar. Either use solar to pump water and irrigate the crop,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mkandawire said the Government was deliberately looking into expanding to other regions with abundant water resources, particularly in the northern parts of the country, to drive the ambitious production target.

 “They’re trying to move away from an area where you always have challenge with the water, to areas where they’ve got abundant water,” he said.

 Mkandawire added that Zambia is currently unable to meet domestic wheat demand, forcing the country to rely on imports to cover the deficit.

 “Currently they’re not meeting the current demand and this is why government has always been allowing imports and I think for the past four years also, government has been allowing the importation of wheat,” he said.

 Mkandawire said ongoing interventions, by the government including identifying suitable small-scale farmers and providing inputs, could gradually increase the production of wheat in  the country.

Article by Philip Sinkala