ZNFU Expects Good Harvest

The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) says it expects the country to record a good harvest in 2020.

The predication is based on the early planting of maize and rainfall to date.

According to a report by Diggers, ZNFU media and public relations manager Calvin Kaleyi has stated, “Overall, we are expecting a much improved agricultural season, a good crop better than the two previous seasons. We are yet to do the forecast and once the forecast is done, we will lock in the figures. But the indicators are that we are going to have a very good harvest.”

The comments follow recent projections by the Bank of Zambia that the rate of inflation is expected to remain above its target during the first half of 2020, but reduce in the second half of the year. The Bank has stated that it expects the reduction because of anticipated improvements in agricultural output as a result of favourable rainfall patterns.

However, it is unclear what impact COVID-19 will have on the sector following the confirmation of 12 cases in the country and a raft of new measures and restrictions announced Wednesday by President Lungu.

According to Kaleyi farmers may now be hesitant to move their product, which could impact the supply chain. If the supply chain is disrupted then the upward trend in prices for items such as mealie meal may continue in the second half of 2020.