The government will award farm land to foreign investors next year to improve agricultural production and reduce food shortages.

Investors will receive land in farm blocs for them to grow more white maize for export to countries in southern Africa.

Zambia created two major farm blocs last year, each over 100,000 hectares in size for farmers to grow cash crops. The project has however been hindered by delays in setting up infrastructure.

The country plans to diversify the economy away from copper mining.