by ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka & SAVIOUS KWINIKA in Johannesburg
Southern Africa Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – ZAMBIA is celebrating what could become a historic turning point for its agricultural sector after President Hakainde Hichilema announced that the country had recorded its largest maize harvest ever — an impressive five million tonnes.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, President Hichilema posted: “5 million tonnes! Zambia’s biggest ever maize harvest. My fellow farmers, we keep working.”
The announcement immediately triggered widespread reactions from economists, farmers and agricultural commentators across Southern Africa, many describing the harvest as a sign that Zambia is steadily emerging as a regional food powerhouse.
Solani Thom Tanjo wrote: “Food sovereignty goes deeper—it’s about a country like Zambia having control over its own food system: producing what it eats, supporting local farmers, controlling seeds, land, pricing power, and reducing dependence on external markets.”
Another user, Lionel Luqman Skink, raised questions about the contribution of former white Zimbabwean commercial farmers now based in Zambia, saying: “It would be interesting to quantify the output of the former white Zimbabwe farmers currently farming in Zambia!”
Following Zimbabwe’s fast-track land reform programme in the early 2000s, several experienced commercial farmers relocated to Zambia, where they invested heavily in large-scale mechanised farming.
Agricultural analysts believe their expertise in irrigation, seed management, commercial grain production and export farming has contributed significantly to Zambia’s agricultural growth.
Others focused on sustainability and diversification.
Plant Doctor, whose X handle is @MonongoahaPelei, asked Government to provide details on the acreage planted, while Kulecho Sam urged authorities to expand investment into indigenous drought-resistant crops such as millet, sorghum and sweet potatoes.
Agricultural experts say this season’s bumper harvest differs from previous years because it follows a period of severe drought linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon, which devastated crop production across much of Southern Africa.
Improved rainfall during the latest season, combined with expanded fertiliser distribution, mechanisation, irrigation systems and improved seed varieties, helped Zambia achieve record yields.
Government support programmes, increased private sector investment and better access to regional export markets also played an important role in boosting production.
The five million-tonne harvest is expected to strengthen Zambia’s food security, stabilise maize prices and increase export opportunities to neighbouring countries facing grain shortages.
Analysts believe Zambia could increasingly position itself as the breadbasket of Southern Africa if it maintains investment in infrastructure, storage facilities, irrigation and climate-smart agriculture.
However, experts warn that overreliance on maize alone could expose farmers to future climate risks.
Calls are therefore growing for Zambia to diversify into alternative crops better suited to changing weather conditions.
Still, the record harvest has generated optimism that Zambia’s agricultural sector is entering a new era of growth, commercialisation and regional influence.
– CAJ News