Government licenses private sector to import grain

The government has licensed the private sector to import grain to augment the maize supplies brought by the government from Zambia and to build enough stocks that can last until the next harvest.

Zimbabwe has a maize deficit of 700 000 tonnes following poor harvests in the 2014-2015 agriculture season.

Last season, only Mashonaland Central managed to produce a grain surplus.

The Met Department has forecast normal to below normal rains in the 2015 to 2016 season and calls have been made to strengthen irrigation systems, water harvesting techniques and the planting of short term seed varieties.