Arabfields, Maleeka Kassou, East, West & Central Africa Agriculture Correspondent — Zambia is stepping up efforts to become one of Africa’s leading maize producers as the government targets annual output of 10 million tons by 2031, nearly triple the 3.6 million tons harvested in 2025.

Maize remains the country’s most important staple crop and plays a central role in regional food security across southern Africa. Authorities believe the expansion of production could transform Zambia into a major agricultural export hub within the Southern African Development Community, where demand for cereals continues to rise.

President Hakainde Hichilema recently reaffirmed the government’s ambitions during talks with Vietnamese partners focused on agricultural cooperation, technology transfer and investment opportunities. Officials say international partnerships will be essential to modernize the sector and improve productivity in rural farming communities.

If Zambia reaches the 10 million ton threshold, it would join a small group of African countries capable of producing maize at that scale. In recent years, only South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania have consistently exceeded or approached that level of output. Analysts say Zambia’s favorable climate conditions, large areas of arable land and expanding irrigation potential could support the country’s rapid growth ambitions.

At the center of the strategy is the “Zambian HandinHand Investment Plan”, a development framework launched with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization. The program, covering the 2025 to 2030 period, aims to mobilize about $760 million in investments to strengthen mechanization, irrigation systems and post-harvest infrastructure.

Agricultural modernization is expected to become a major driver of productivity gains. Under the plan, authorities intend to establish more than 800 integrated mechanization hubs across the country to provide equipment rental services for maize farmers and other crop producers. Officials say the initiative could help reduce dependence on manual farming and improve efficiency during planting and harvesting seasons.

In farming districts outside Lusaka and Kabwe, producers say mechanization remains one of the biggest challenges. “Many small farmers still rely on old equipment or animal traction,” said Joseph Mwale, a maize grower in Central Province. “Access to machinery would allow us to cultivate larger areas and increase yields.”

Irrigation is also a key pillar of the government’s roadmap. Zambia plans to provide nearly 50,000 farmers with irrigation kits that include boreholes, solar-powered pumps and drip systems through subsidized financing programs. Experts believe the expansion of irrigation could reduce the sector’s vulnerability to droughts and irregular rainfall patterns that have affected harvests in parts of southern Africa over the past decade.

The strategy further includes investments in seed improvement and post-harvest management. Around 200 storage warehouses with capacities of 5,000 tons each are expected to be built to reduce losses and improve grain marketing systems. According to agricultural specialists, post-harvest losses still account for a significant share of production waste in many African countries.

Economic forecasts published in 2026 suggest Zambia could generate substantial export revenues if production continues to rise. Domestic maize consumption is estimated at around 3 million tons annually, meaning that future surpluses could increasingly be directed toward regional markets.

Trade analysts already see strong opportunities within neighboring countries facing periodic grain shortages. Zambia’s maize exports to Malawi are projected to reach hundreds of thousands of tons through both formal and informal trade channels. Demand from other SADC member states is also expected to remain high as several countries continue to depend on imports to stabilize food supplies.

Regional import data compiled in 2026 showed SADC countries collectively purchased more than 3.5 million tons of maize from international markets in the previous year, representing import costs exceeding $1 billion. Economists believe Zambia could capture a larger share of this market if infrastructure and logistics improve over the coming years.

While challenges linked to financing, climate risks and transportation remain, confidence in Zambia’s agricultural sector is growing. Investors and policymakers increasingly view maize not only as a food security crop, but also as a strategic commodity capable of boosting rural incomes, regional trade and long-term economic growth.