Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe is projecting a grain surplus of between 550 000 and 900 000 metric tonnes as Government intensifies efforts to strengthen the country’s food security through increased agricultural production.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Midlands Province Winter Wheat Pre-planting Seminar at DCK Farm in Kwekwe, the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Dr Anxious Masuka, said the country remained food secure following improved harvests and strategic grain production plans.
“We require about 2.4 to 2.5 million metric tonnes for both human and animal consumption and collectively we will have in storage just under three million metric tonnes,” said Dr Masuka.
He said the projected surplus would depend on consumption patterns, adding that Zimbabwe’s average consumption rate remained below regional and international averages.
“The actual consumption scenario for Zimbabwe is 7.7 kilogrammes per person per month against the SADC one of 8.5 kilogrammes per person per month and the FAO international consumption of 10 kilogrammes per person per month,” he said.
