Zimbabwe needs to import maize seed again this year as demand continues to outstrip supply following the government's land reform program which has created thousands of new farmers, Agriculture Minister, Joseph Made said on Friday.

"Last year, we had seed from local farmers and seed houses but we had to augment that local supply with importation," he said.

He, however, could not say how much would be imported as an assessment of local production was still underway.

Made said individuals could import the seed using the available financial support from the country's major agricultural financier, Agribank.

Zimbabwe has been failing to meet demand in recent years due to various reasons, including successive droughts and foreign exchange limits.

One of the country's biggest producers, Seed-Co Zimbabwe, said this week it had increased its maize seed output in line with growing demand in the aftermath of the land reform program which the government embarked on in 2000 to resettle landless people.

Last season, the company imported 8,000 tons of seed to alleviate shortages on the local market.

About 40,000 tons of seed is expected to be produced this year, while contracted farmers will add another 20,000 tons.

Farmers have been calling on the government to ensure inputs made available in time for planting.

Agriculture is the backbone of Zimbabwe's economy, accounting for as much as 17 percent of Gross Domestic Product, about 27 percent of employment and 33 percent of total foreign currency earnings.

Source: Xinhua