Zimbabwe to import 150 000 tonnes of maize

Zimbabwe is to import 150 000 tonnes of maize from South Africa but has so far only received 300 tonnes, Deputy Agriculture Minister Davis Marapira said today. Reports say some 2.2 million Zimbabweans will need food assistance before the next harvest in April. The government says it has 300 000 tonnes in its strategic reserves. The country harvested less than 800 000 tonnes of maize last year. Annual consumption is estimated at 2.2 million tonnes. Though more land has been set aside for maize this year, the country is only expected to produce 1.3 million tonnes.

(18 VIEWS)