The results indicate that the country will record a bumper harvest in almost all the crops. Maize production is anticipated to increase by 25.53 per cent from 2,873,052 to 3,606,549Mt in 2016/17 growing season.

The production of soybean which is a major core cost Center in poultry stock feed is poised to record a bumper harvest of up to 31.38 per cent increase from 267,490 Mt to 351,416 Mt in 2016/17 growing season.

Despite the increase in metric tons, it was reported that the national yield rate for soybean reduced by 17.33 per cent from 1.8Mt per hectare to 1.52Mts per hectare.

On the other hand, the area planted increased by 58.91 per cent from 145,763Ha to 231,630ha. The crop forecast survey indicates also that soybean production from the small-scale farmers increased from 65,304Mt in 2015/16 season to 150,994Mt representing a 131 per cent increase in production.

Maize and soybeans are input into poultry stock feed and this anticipated bumper harvest will create relief for the poultry industry.

In its peak period, the poultry industry consumes close to half of this year soybean production.

It has to be noted that global soybean production is expected to reach the new records of 330mn tonnes which should be sufficient to supply global and southern African demand especially south Africa.