Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Innovations Editor
Prospects for a good harvest are bright in southern Africa following the above-average rainfall that has been received this season, the Food and Agriculture Organisation has said.
Significant rainfall improvements since January have improved cropping prospects in parts of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.
The latest FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in international prices of globally traded food commodities, noted that favourable rainfall had firmly put the region’s crop yields on a rebound after experiencing a devastating drought in the 2023-24 cropping season.
“Looking ahead to 2025, favourable rainfall in southern Africa is expected to support a rebound in crop yields following significant declines in 2024,” said FAO.
The findings match preliminary reports from most of the countries in the region.
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development have said the area under maize increased by 5,4 percent from the previous season, while traditional grains saw a 7 percent rise, surpassing the targeted area.
“The area under maize increased from 1 728 897ha in the 2023/2024 season to 1 822 904ha in the 2024/2025 season, a 5,4 percent increase. This is marginally above the target of 1 800 000ha,” the report states.
“The area under traditional grains increased by 7 percent from 405 116 ha to 434 374 ha. This is 4 percent above target.”
Zimbabwe’s economy is projected to grow by six percent in 2025 on account of improved agriculture performance.
In South Africa, the first production estimates for 2024-25 forecast a harvest at 17,2 million tonnes, up 11 percent from the previous season. This comprises maize, sunflower seeds, soybeans, groundnuts, sorghum and dry beans.
The expected yield improvements are coming from 4,4 million ha of planted crops.
South Africa’s production estimate for maize is 13,9 million tonnes, up 8 percent.
