Broke Zim govt to import 700 000 tonnes of maize

Zimbabwe is to import 700 000 tonnes of maize to avert food shortages as the country's maize production dropped by 49 % after a poor 2014-15 agricultural season.

The final Crop Assessment Report released by government shows that Masvingo has been listed as the most affected province, while Mashonaland West and Central are the only two provinces with an estimated surplus.

According to ZBC, Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Joseph Made said  A2 farmers produced 30 % of the maize, up from last year's 20 % production.

A1 farmers produced 69 %whilst peri urban farmers contributed one percent.

The national consumer figure is estimated to be 1,4 million tonnes.

A combination of perennial poor planning and adverse weather conditions threatens to unleash one of the severest food crises Zimbabwe has witnessed in the past few year.

Zimbabwe planted nearly two million hectares of cereal crops in the 2014/2015 farming season and the government now readily admits that at least 300 000 hectares of the crop is beyond redemption following a prolonged dry spell.

Many agricultural experts say the government's estimates are grossly understated and that the actual situation on the ground in many parts of the country are a lot worse — and that urgent international assistance is needed if a disaster is to be avoided.