Rural Food Basket, Strong FRA Supplier
Zambia has achieved a record maize harvest this year, signaling a major stride in national food security and agricultural resilience.
Notably, the rural farming communities commonly referred to as the rural basket have remained strong and highly participative, accounting for the majority of maize grain supplied to the market.
This performance reflects the effectiveness of government input support programs, improved extension services, and a favorable rainfall pattern.
Smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Zambia’s maize sector, have demonstrated resilience and increased productivity, contributing significantly to the national grain reserve.
The strong rural output positions Zambia to meet domestic consumption needs, stabilize mealie meal prices, and potentially export surplus grain to food-insecure neighboring countries.
This is a timely opportunity to generate foreign exchange while strengthening regional food systems.
However, to fully realize these benefits, timely grain purchases, enhanced storage capacity, and better market access for farmers are critical.
Supporting the rural agricultural base must remain a policy priority if Zambia is to maintain this growth trajectory and achieve long-term food and economic security.
