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The Zambia Defence Force is projected to harvest 29,600 metric tonnes of maize during the 2024/2025 farming season, authorities have revealed.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Ministry of Defence Principal Public Relations Officer, Paul Shalala, said Permanent Secretary Maambo Haamaundu disclosed the projected production figures.
Haamaundu said the Zambia Army planted a total of 103 hectares of maize, with an expected yield of 500 metric tonnes at its Solwezi farm, while an additional 3 hectares were planted at the Army Makeni Farm in Lusaka.
At the Makeni farm, the Army also planted 2 hectares of bananas, 1 hectare of avocados, 1 hectare of Irish potatoes, and 1 hectare of tomatoes.
Haamaundu further disclosed that the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) cultivated 900 hectares of maize across its farms in Mbala, Mumbwa, Chisamba, and Lufwanyama, with an expected yield of 7,200 metric tonnes.
At the Mbala farm complex, which comprises Polygon, Munyezi, and Base Farms, 600 hectares were cultivated, with a projected yield of 4,800 metric tonnes.
In addition to maize production, ZAF Mbala has ventured into beef production, currently managing 48 animals, while 50 hectares have been allocated for bean cultivation as part of a diversification strategy.
“At ZAF Mumbwa, the service is managing 229 cattle for beef production, while Chisamba farm houses 114 animalsand also operates a poultry project with 10,000 birds, half of which are ready for market each month,” Haamaundu added.
He said the Zambia National Service (ZNS) had planted 1,550 hectares of rain-fed maize and 1,414 hectares of irrigated maize (commonly known as early maize).
ZNS is expected to harvest 7,750 metric tonnes from rain-fed maize and 14,150 metric tonnes from irrigated maize—bringing the service’s total projected harvest to 21,900 metric tonnes.
“The yield from irrigated maize is significantly higher due to the controlled environment in which it is grown,” Haamaundu noted.
He added that ZNS maintains major maize fields at Munsakamba in Mkushi, Airport Farm in Lusaka, Musakashi in Mufulira, Mangango in Kaoma, and Mpika Farm, and also operates fish farms in Kafue and Gwembe as well as ranching units in Mkushi and Choma.
Haamaundu said the Zambia Defence Force was responding to President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive to invest in agriculture and help feed the nation.
“With the current investment in food production, the Zambia Defence Force is poised to become a major contributor to national food security in the near future,” he said.
Haamaundu added that the three Defence services have deployed equipment and skilled personnel to agricultural sites across the country, resulting in a total of 3,967 hectares of maize planted for the 2024/2025 season.
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