Agriculture: Diversifying the economy’s mainstay
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President Chakwera has taken unconventional steps to transition the Agriculture sector from a subsistence practice to a commercial venture that hinges on advanced technologies in terms of mechanization, improved seed regimes, large scale irrigation farming, structured and profitable markets.
The administration has reorganized budgetary resources and operations towards a diversification agenda in a bid to maximise cash crops.
Initiatives such as Agricultural Commercialization Project (AGCOM) continue to promote viable investments in a wide range of agricultural enterprises and across the value chains.
Problems to be solved
Enhancing food production and security through increased maize yields and strategic grain reserves
Promoting large-scale commercial farming (Mega Farms) to reduce reliance on smallholder production
Expanding irrigation to counteract erratic rainfall and climate change threats
Opportunities to unlock
Provided subsidized fertilizers and seeds to over 3 million smallholder farmers annually, supporting households with landholdings of 0.25 to 2 hectares
Increased maize production to over 4 million metric tonnes in multiple farming seasons, ensuring national food self-sufficiency
Strengthened Strategic Grain Reserves, which act as a buffer against food crises