In a report made available to The Zimbabwean, the UN said the area planted for the 2010/2011 season was 2 096 035 hectares with an average yield of 0,69 metric tonnes per hectare.
"The increase in maize production is mainly attributed to more hectares put under the crop and better yields in the high potential producing areas," the report said.
After assessments conducted in April this year, estimates for the national cereal production for the 2010/2011 season stood at 1 607 700 metric tonnes against an estimated national requirement of 1 717 800 metric tonnes.
"Maize production increased by nine percent in 2010/2011 compared to the previous season," the report said.
However, food security remains a pressing issue for the GNU with achievements at risk from a protracted "dry spell which affected six out of the 10 provinces early this year".
It said the increasing attention that humanitarian players were giving to agriculture "is demanding an even stronger and more effective coordination structure".
"Continuous monitoring of the agricultural sector, with technical assessments are key components of the co-ordination," the report said.
Post published in: News