Late access to fertilizer to affect maize production in Zambia
Published by David Rowlands,
Editor
World Fertilizer,
Calvin Kaleyi of the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) reportedly said that a significant amount of the maize crop in key production areas had wilted, and that it is likely that this will affect the harvest.
Kaleyi added: “If this trend continues into February, we are in trouble. We may be lucky to hit 1.8 – 2 million t of maize.”
This is compared to 2.87 million t in the 2015/2016 season and 3.61 million t in the 2016/2017 season. The maize production season in Zambia starts in October – November (when the planting is done) and is completed in March – April (harvesting).
According to Reuters, Kaleyi said that the dry spell this season has affected small scale farmers, who are responsible for producing 82% of Zambia’s maize and depend on rain-fed irrigation.
Kaleyi also noted that the situation will worsen because of late access by small scale farmers to fertilizer from the government.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/environment/23012018/late-access-to-fertilizer-to-affect-maize-production-in-zambia/
You might also like
CF Industries announces emissions reduction project at Yazoo City
CF Industries has announced that it is moving forward with a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project at its Yazoo City, Mississippi, Complex that is expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted to the atmosphere from the facility by up to 500 000 tpy.