Online Reporter
LOCAL farm output has been increasing to records in recent years.
Tobacco farmers set a benchmark this year when they sold 353 million kg, exceeding the Government target of 300 million kgs. Wheat producers reaped 563 961 tonnes last year, breaking a record of 465 548 tonnes that they had set in the previous season. Output is seen jumping higher, to 600 000 tonnes this year.
In the 2024-2025 season, the country produced 3 million tonnes of maize, beating a record they set in 1984 when they picked 2,95 million tonnes. Treasury has projected that growers produced 3,92 million tonnes this year.
Recognising the strides being made on farms, authorities have ordered that local processors of oilseed, grain and products will have to source at least 40 percent of their requirements locally by the beginning of April next year. A total ban will take effect from April 1, 2028.
“No person shall import grain, oilseed and products, except for contractors in instances of need. Where the landed import parity price is lower than the local production parity price, the difference shall accrue to the Agricultural Revolving Fund.
With effect from 1st April 2026, all processors must source at least 40 percent of their annual requirements of grain, oilseed and products locally, and with effect from 1st April 2028, 100 percent of all annual requirements of grain, oilseed and products must be sourced locally,” read regulations published in a statutory instrument recently.
Indeed, records are tumbling in a positive direction over the past decade, which highlights real growth in the agriculture sector, and the resulting greater food security and greater prosperity among our people. We are very proud that we, as a country, are now able to produce enough to feed ourselves with surpluses for export.
It is correct that favourable weather conditions have played a huge role in that success but without meticulous Government planning coupled with diligent farmer execution that favourable weather was not going to count for much.
Authorities have rolled out targeted strategies to promote wheat, maize, tobacco, blueberry and oil seed productions. Farmers are taking full advantage of the measures and incentives to work their land, and results are there for all to see.
They are making real money off the land, driving national development, improving incomes, reducing poverty and so on.
But we must not beat our chests and relax. The growing production and the moves by the Government must be the fuel every farmer needs to roar forward. There is always demand for food and other farm produce globally.
So, the focus must be on meeting domestic demand for food, tobacco and so on while at the same time producing for export markets.
