Agriculture Economist Edify Hamukale has called on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to increase its maize purchase target for the 2026 market season from five hundred thousand metric tonnes to one million metric tonnes.

In a statement made available to the media in Chilanga, Dr. Hamukale said the proposed increase is necessary given Zambia’s annual maize consumption and the looming climatic risks that could affect food security in the coming year.

Dr Hamukale, explained that Zambia’s annual maize consumption stands at about three million, five hundred thousand metric tonnes adding that with such high demand, a purchase target of only five hundred thousand metric tonnes leaves the country with a very narrow safety margin.

He observed that climatic risks such as the anticipated El Nino present a serious threat to production.

“Without maximum state storage, we are operating on a very thin risk margin looking at the year ahead, which does not look attractive or predictable,” stated Dr Hamukale.

He recommended that regardless of the current storage inadequacies, the presence of 2025 carry-over stock or budgetary considerations, it is prudent for FRA to aim higher this season.

Dr Hamukale further warned that El Nino is expected in the 2026/2027 rain season and is likely to bring drought and poor harvests in 2027.

He however, welcomed the government’s announcement of K347 per 50kg bag of maize noting that the increase of K7 from last year’s price was marginal and positive for both farmers and consumers.

Dr Hamukale added that maintaining a stable purchase price will help keep food prices stable and predictable over a long period.

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