Government says the agricultural sector acts as an engine block for most low-income countries in Africa and contributes about 50 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Science Technology and Vocation Training Minister said this is the more reason why the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) region member states should take a holistic technological approach towards improving the agricultural sector.
Mr. Daka explained that however, many countries in Africa were facing challenges in improving the agricultural industry due to the absence of farming subsides, modern hybrids and the appropriate modern farming equipment.
Mr. Daka said this in a speech ready for him by his Deputy Given Mun’gomba during the official opening of the National Consultative Workshop on Draft Bio safety Policies and Guidelines for (COMESA) region held at Inter Continental Hotel in Lusaka today.
He explained that the use of modern bio safety was the surest way of providing the CMESA region countries with the safe transfer and handling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) that may have adverse effects on the environment and human health.
He noted that the guidelines were also helpful in providing the means of assessing the food safety of GM foods.
Mr. Daka added that most COMESA member countries were parties to the Cartagena Protocol on bio safety, and that they were obliged to domesticate the policy into national law.
He also disclosed that Zambia had made strides in developing the National framework for bio safety, resulting in the establishment of the National Bio safety Authority (NBA) charged with the responsibility of shaping the bio safety regulations, guidelines and application procedures.
The Minister further called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders if the region was to benefit from bio technology in a sustainable way and in reducing the impact it might have on the farmers or trade.
And Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) Chief Executive Officer Cris Muyunda said, his organization was cognizant of the controversies surrounding the GMOs in Africa and beyond.
In a speech ready for him by the Director in chare of Trade and Markets Bridget Chilala, Dr. Muyunda stated that it was for that reason that ACTESA would to dialogue and discuss with the various stakeholders in providing information to the public about the issue.
He also emphasized the need to include a diverse crops on bio tech such as cotton and sunflower, which are mainly used for fibre.
He urged the delegates at the workshop to provide effective and constructive solutions to the issue of harmonizing regional interventions relating to all bio safety laws.
ZANIS
Thats the more reason we re asking Mpombo, Mulongoti & Shaka to go to their farms. For shaka I know he has one in Mungule. Go back to the land, Politics has failed you! Kekekekekekekeke….VIVA MMD & RB
What other political parties should learn from the MMD convention is that it is possible to instill discipline in your party members. This is the first time in the history of Zambia that party affairs were conducted with discipline being the key word. So PF and UPND, show us what you can do also. If there will be no discipline at your convention, then we will know who has been causing all this violence in our country. Going by what happened at the MMD convention, it is certainly not MMD
Peter Daka admiring a white lady!!!
#3 Kokolliko, Is that all you have to say, PF Kaponya;
We have always know that it is Failed Party(PF) and UPND agendaless parties which are violent in Zambia ,they win by elections by intimidational means!Kaponyas indeed.
#2 Humanism Week
You are not correct in most cases.. Those displining matters are just show-offs.. was that part of the agenda? what about mobile hospital why taken to mmd party’s kabwe conference? You hv failed to oversee the underhand methods used in mmd. Why taking over control of local bus stations in lusaka? Zambia is going nowhere in term of development as a result of this multipart system. It is total misunderstoond and has brought hatred among most Zambians who enjoyed the motto (One zambia One nation)
#3 koko
You have a point.. Daka offering business card is an indication of what u noticed :)
#6 Kanjimaano. Thanks for seeing something I have seen. #2 Jojo I am not a Kaponya, however you should also have respect for kaponyas because they are human beings like.
I love the color within the lense,these people brighten everything,and are ideal for lowering glare and form a contrast. The bronze seriously isn’t to dim possibly.