Zambia facing 45,000 tons deficit in rice production
Zambia is currently facing a deficit of 45,000 metric tonnes in rice production, Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo has disclosed.
In a speech read on his behalf by Luapula province deputy permanent secretary Lloyd Chakaba during the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) rice dissemination project site visit in Mansa, Mr Katambo has noted the need to put in place interventions to increase rise production.
Mr Katambo says farmers currently produce less than two metric tonnes of rice per hectare which is lower than the global average production of approximately four metric tonnes per hectare.
He says there is need for farmers to diversify to crops such as rice, noting the importance of diversification in the fight against malnutrition as well as building climate resilience of households involved in agriculture.
Mr Katambo says country can no longer rely on maize alone, but needs to embrace other cereals such as rice,sorghum and millet among other crops.
The Minister has since applauded the US$5million close to 5-years rice dissemination project partnership with JICA to support the training of farmers and extension staff in rice production as well as research.