Mishma Chakanyuka, Staff Writer 
GRAIN Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) says its members have started to import maize to bolster national stocks ahead of the expected El Niño-induced drought.
Normal to below-normal rainfall is expected in the 2023-24 summer season, which is expected to impact the production of major crops such as wheat, tobacco and maize.
GMAZ chairman Tafadzwa Musarara told The Financial Gazette that the grain milling industry petitioned the government to allow for maize imports to start now to ensure they shore up the national stocks.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe chairperson, Tafadzwa Musarara
“Indeed, last season’s harvest exceeded national demand, but we are being futuristic in this regard.
“The next yield is going to be low on account of this drought. International best practice dictates that we should have at least three years of national maize cover, hence the imports,” Musarara said.
“Further, it is prudent and profitable to start importing now while international maize prices are still low. This drought is going to affect all major maize-producing countries in the southern and eastern regions.”
Zimbabwe had a bumper harvest in the just-ended 2022-23 season, with record maize production.
Following the bumper harvest, the government approved the sale of maize surplus from past harvests, with the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) overseeing the exports.
This marked the first time that the country has exported maize in over two decades, sending
100 000 tonnes to several African countries, including Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia and Kenya.
Over the past years, the country has been failing to produce enough maize for sustenance, hence relying on imports to cover the deficit.
Zimbabwe needs about 2,2 million tonnes of maize a year for consumption.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is currently pushing irrigation initiatives as it aims to achieve
350 000 hectares of irrigated land by 2025, as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1.
The irrigation strategy push is expected to aid in boosting the country’s food production.
According to the Agriculture ministry’s director for irrigation development, Bezzel Chitsungo, 195 000 hectares are already equipped with irrigation schemes, with the balance requiring approximately US$2 billion to equip, with the aim of at least a 20 percent contribution from farmer-led initiatives.
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