LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi is expected to have bumper harvest in the 2019/2020 growing season according to first Round of Agricultural Production Survey released on February 19, 2020.
The Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Water Development says the survey shows that there’s an increase in Cereal, Legumes, Roots, Livestock and Fish production.
“There is an increase in maize production of 8.8% from 3,391,924 Metric tonnes in 2018/2019 growing season to 3,691,866 in the 2019/2020 growing season. The increase is being attributed to favourable weather conditions and increased uptake of inputs by farmers.
“The rice production has increased by 9.8%, millet 8.9% and sorghum at 3% saying all this is due to availability of seed, increased wetlands and government and other stakeholder programmes,” reads part of the report.
The report says Legumes like ground nuts, Soya, Pigeon peas and Beans has also seen an increase in production of about 9.15% on average, Cotton has increased from 25,331 Metric tonnes in 2019/2020 growing season representing 106.8%.
It adds, “There is an increase on Roots and Tubers, Bananas at 5.9%, potatoes at 19.4, Cassava at 0.9%.Livestock has seen an increase in production with Cattle at 4%, Pigs 7.7%, Sheep 3.2%, Goats 7.5%, Rabbits 5.5% and Quails at 192.5% attributing the increase in births due to improved livestock management practices like good housing, feeding, breeding and disease control .
“Fish production has seen a decrease from 202,092 Metric tonnes to 169,140 Metric tonnes representing 19.1% attributing the decrease to low catches, migration of fish, and severe water stress”.
The statement says since November, 2019 to January, 2020, the country has received good rainfall and this is expected till March, 2020.
The survey therefore add that the ministry will be carrying out 2nd and 3rd Round of Agricultural production estimates survey in March and May,2020.
“The results will be made available to all Malawians and other stakeholders saying the final estimates will determine actual production and confirm whether Malawi be food secure at both household and national levels.
“In the case of disasters, the ministry will revise the production estimates and update the nation accordingly”, concludes the report.