Govt targets 10 million metric tonnes of maize production by 2031

Government has set an ambitious target to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize annually by 2031, with Agriculture Minister Reuben Phiri emphasising that strengthening the seed sector will be critical to achieving the country’s agricultural production goals. Speaking during the Zamseed Partnership Day Field Day on Tuesday, Phiri said quality seed remains the foundation for increased agricultural productivity and economic transformation. He noted that government recognised the strategic role played by Zamseed, which has evolved into a reputable institution supplying drought-tolerant, disease-resistant and high-yielding seed varieties across multiple crops since its establishment in 1975.

Phiri said the performance of the seed sector continued to improve, citing increased maize seed production and exports. “In 2025, Zambia produced 178,000 metric tonnes of maize seed, of which 88,380 metric tonnes were exported, compared to 52,000 metric tonnes exported in 2024. Zamseed has been one of the major contributors to this performance,” he said.

He explained that the growth in seed production demonstrated that quality seed remained a critical driver in achieving Government’s agricultural production targets. “Quality seed is not just an input but a foundation for high productivity, resilience and consistency in agricultural output,” Mr Phiri said. He further noted that government had placed agriculture at the centre of Zambia’s economic transformation agenda, with President Hakainde Hichilema setting ambitious production targets for the sector.

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Phiri said government aimed to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize and one million metric tonnes each of soybean and wheat annually by 2031. He stressed that achieving these targets required a strong and efficient seed system, describing seed as the foundation upon which agricultural productivity is built. He said government continued to enhance the capacity of the Seed Control and Certification Institute to ensure certified seed met high quality standards. He said Government would continue facilitating market access through regional frameworks such as Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and Southern African Development Community.

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