By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has announced ambitious national production targets, revealing that the government aimed to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize, 1 million metric tonnes of wheat, and 1 million metric tonnes of soybeans annually by 2031.
Speaking during the AgriTech Expo held in Chisamba District of Central Province on Friday, President Hichilema said the government had already laid the groundwork for achieving these targets through its agriculture mechanisation programme.
He said 125 mechanisation service centres had been established across the country, supporting thousands of farmers and expanding the area under cultivation.
Hichilema stressed the need for Zambia to shift fully to all-year-round crop production, noting that strategic interventions were underway.
These include irrigation infrastructure development, expansion of mechanisation services, enhanced support to smallholder farmers, and promotion of value addition across value chains.
He recalled that the 2024 drought, one of the most severe in the nation’s history, forced the government to declare a national emergency.
Despite this, Zambia managed to record an impressive 3.9 million metric tonnes of maize, which he described as a testament to the effectiveness of ongoing reforms.
“With irrigation, technology, and improved access to energy, we have the capacity to produce continuously and meet both domestic and regional demand throughout the year,” Hichilema said.
He added that projections indicate Zambia was on track for yet another strong harvest, reinforcing confidence that the country’s transformation of the agriculture sector is progressing as planned.
The President also highlighted policy reforms under the New Dawn Government, including the decision to allow the export of maize and its products, such as mealie meal.
He noted that Zambia was strategically located within a region of more than 400 million people who required the food the country produces.
“This decision is anchored on a clear objective to ensure that our farmers not only produce, but also earn, grow, and create wealth. Agriculture must be a viable business, and our farmers must fully benefit from their productivity,” he said.
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