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Most farmers have abandoned production of maize at commercial level and switched on to other lucrative crops such as tobacco and soyabeans.
ZWIFAT made the call at a food security awareness programme in Selous recently.
ZWIFAT president Mrs Depinah Nkomo said poor prices of maize have discouraged farmers from growing the crop.
“Most local farmers are now seized with growing tobacco and cotton because they have huge profits and maize is being neglected,” said Mrs Nkomo.
“We are likely to face a serious food shortage in this country.
“It is worrisome that we are spending a lot of money importing maize from Zambia and other neighbouring countries and yet we have land and resources for agricultural production.”
Mrs Nkomo said the Grain Marketing Board should review the maize producer price from US$310 to US$450 to lure farmers and restore their trust in maize farming.
Mrs Edinah Mawere Chitakunye, a member of the association, also complained over lower prices of maize.
“The prices of maize are a cause for concern, considering the labour that we put in producing it, we need better prices so that we keep on growing maize, we don’t want to buy it from other countries,” she said.
GMB deputy general manager Mrs Sobongile Muchirahondo said they were also concerned about the maize producer price.
“We are much concerned about this issue and we have already sent our proposal to Cabinet once the new prices of maize are approved, we will let you know.
“We want prices that please the farmers in order to boost local maize production than relying on imports,” she said.
This year alone, an estimated 1,6 million people are said to be in need of urgent food assistance following poor rains. The situation is likely to get worse unless the country changes course through giving incentives to farmers for them to take up maize production seriously.
Online Reporter