• The demand of fertilizer will be much higher this year 2024/2025 season than it was in 2023/2024 season.
• Seed is also in short supply as it has been affected by the drought situation.
• Some seed companies have secured some 400 hectares for maize seed production in Chiawa.

Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) has projected a high demand for seed and fertilizer in the 2024/2025 farming season.

Speaking in an interview, Organization Executive Director, Chance Kabaghe said this is in view of the anticipated favorable rainfall pattern by the Zambia Meteorological Department.

Mr. Kabaghe, who is also United Capital Fertilizer Chairperson, revealed that the country will have enough fertilizer this year as the firm is producing more than what is required on the domestic market for D Compound.

“We are really in this drought situation and as a country we need to prepare ourselves fully for the next farming season. According to the MET Department, 2024/2025 season will be a wet season and in some cases we may even experience floods, but it is better to have a wet season than a dry season.”

“So this year there is going to be huge demand in terms of seed and fertilizer.  I wish to report that this country will have enough fertilizers. As you know I also chair United Capital Fertilizers and we are already producing more than what this country requires for D Compound,” Mr. Ka Kabaghe stated.

He expressed confidence that the firm will be able to produce about 100, 000 metric tons of the fertilizer by December, 2024.

“Last year, the President launched the Urea Plant which is going to cost us about US$600 million. We are very confident that this year, by December we should already have started to produce at least 100, 000 metric tonnes of Urea.”

“Yes there are other companies that are importing and are getting ready, I can easily see that the demand of fertilizer will be much higher this year 2024/2025 season than it was in 2023/2024 season but we need to start our preparations now,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kabaghe disclosed that some seed companies have secured some 400 hectares for maize seed production in Chiawa to help alleviate the deficit being experienced in the country.

He noted that seed is also in short supply as it has been affected by the drought situation.

“Now one other thing that people keep on forgetting is that even seed itself is also in short supply, it has been affected by the drought. People only look at commercial maize for eating but the seed to be planted in 2024/2025 season is affected.”

“So as seed companies we are doing our best to grow some seed in Chiawa. We have secured some 400 hectares and we should be able to have an additional 2, 000 metric tons of maize seed which we hope will help to alleviate the deficit this country is going to experience,” Mr. Kabaghe explained.

Mr. Kabaghe further said Zambia is in the range of 65 percent in terms of certified seed while the remaining 35 percent is the retained seed which people are using.

“So this year those retains are all gone, we have to give them now fresh certified hybrid seed, so that matter needs to be addressed as quickly as possible,” he added.