A local farmers' body on Thursday urged the Zambian government to take advantage of a projected maize deficit in the southern African region by expanding production to cater for regional exports.

The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) said the government should come up with a strategy to take advantage of the maize deficit -- estimated to be around seven million tonnes by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network.

The farmers' body said in a statement that the high demand of maize in the region had increased informal trade, especially in the eastern part of Zambia.

According to the statement, Zambia should come up with a marketing strategy that would ensure sustained and expanded production to not only meet the national requirements but also increase the country's exports of maize into the region.

Zambia produced 2.8 million tonnes of maize during the 2015/2016 agricultural season, despite the drought that hit most countries in the southern African region.

Last week, the government said it will take precaution on maize exports in order to safeguard national food security.

Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa said the government will not allow the exports of maize until it is convinced that the country is food secure.

Source : XINHUA