Maize harvest to drop by a third

Zambia's current 2015/2016 maize crop is expected to be a third lower than the previous year due to severe drought in many parts of the country, a farmers' group said on Monday.

Zambia's maize harvest dropped 21 percent to 2.6 million tonnes in the 2014/2015 season versus the previous season.

"If the current weather pattern continues maize production may drop by 30 percent. The high production areas have not had enough rain," Zambia National Farmers' Union spokesman Kingsley Kaswende said.

Kaswende said the maize crop, Zambia's staple food, had to be replanted in some areas after it wilted due to prolonged dry spells.