Zambia Can Still Record Bumper Harvest In The Midst Of Army Worms, Red Locusts and Stalk Borers

It is not a secret that matters of food are hardly the most exciting subject to talk about. But they could rank quite high if not highest on any nation’s priority list. The good rains that the country is witnessing almost across the entire spread of our country should be a point of optimism for all of us especially that the country has struggled with matters of food security in the last few years.

There could be no excuse for our government and farmers not to record a decent harvest given that we have used poor weather as an excuse each time our crop has failed.

While there have been whispers about late delivery of inputs in some areas overall the general sketch has been positive with farmers getting on with their act perfectly well.

That is why news of our flamboyant Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya having been off the line of duty at the time the country had an army worm outbreak was a little disappointing. If ever there was a time for Siliya to show what she has got and it is not that which she easily flaunts, this could be the time to make her mark as a minister who got it right.

While previous ministers have gone by pseudonyms like Mr Winter Maize or Mr FSIP or even Mr Yellow Maize, Siliya should strive to be remembered as Madam Army Worm. She has so far dusted off herself well and got down to work taking up the army worm fight ferociously whilst also pushing up for last minute delivery of inputs where there has been a delay.

For once again let the minister or rather the country’s number one problem should be having too much supply of grain on the market. While we are still at it we would be too happy never to hear about storage of the grain being a problem. We also hope that the baby steps made by Siliya’s predecessor Given Lubinda on promoting non maize crops will bear some fruit.

There are teething problems with the e-voucher system but so far farmers are getting to grips with it and the minister has done well to be right on that subject.

The country cannot afford not to cash in on these rains such that even the inherently inefficient Zesco may just have no excuse not to meet their obligations towards the citizenry.

This could be Siliya’s hour to unyoke the PF cross of being perceived as being clueless on agricultural matters. Even with army worms, stalk borers and red locusts attacks there is still a great chance to reap a bumper harvest.

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