Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Peter Daka has called on China to consider transferring appropriate technologies in agro processing, aquaculture, irrigation and other areas that would help Zambia maximise its potential in the agriculture sector.
Mr Daka has also called for private investment in supporting the production of various crops such as pineapple, mango, cashew nuts and groundnuts.
The minister said technology transfer in other areas such as monitoring of environmental quality, animal vaccines, infrastructure development, equipment and research would benefit agriculture in the country.
Speaking during the official opening of the China-Africa Agriculture Forum in Beijing yesterday, Mr Daka, who is Zambia’s delegation leader said there was need for the transfer of technologies in some strategic sectors.
The delegation included Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane and Zambia’s Ambassador to China, Joyce Musenge.
Also in attendance was the chairperson of the House of Chiefs, Chief Madzimawe and several other chiefs representing different parts of the country.
Mr Daka said the Zambia-China partnership had proved to be that of a win-win scenario resulting in mutual benefits for all parties.
According to a statement released by the Zambian embassy in China, Mr Daka thanked China for continuing to help African countries in the field of agriculture and welcomed the ongoing agricultural cooperation.
He praised the Chinese government for prioritising agricultural cooperation with Africa as the sector was at the core of human survival, which centred on the production of food and consequently contributed to sustainable economic growth.
Mr Daka urged the forum organisers and delegates not to be dissuaded in their efforts but to concentrate on the mutual benefit to the people arising from the cooperation.
The Forum was officially opened by the Minister (International Department) of the Chinese Communist Party, Wang Jiarui who in his welcome remarks stressed the need for increased Sino-Africa cooperation in agriculture.
Mr Wang said agriculture was the basis for any national economy and that in that regard, China and Africa had a responsibility to provide food to their people.
The meeting was organised by the international Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture.
It attracted more than 200 dignitaries and included the vice-presidents of Zimbabwe and Kenya as well as ministers responsible for agriculture and economy from Sudan, Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola.
[ Times of Zambia ]
“The minister said technology transfer in other areas such as ………………… and research would benefit agriculture in the country.”
I guess LT did not capture what the Minister meant here. Technology transfer in research? I really am lost.
Hope it results in Combine harvesters, information access through the internet and education on farm and crop management.
Mr Daka don’t jst use terms like ‘technology transfer’name some of these technology transfers so that even naosapunzila can know what you talking abt and tell us when Chine will finally put into effect these technology transfers so that we can monitor yo work whether its theoretical talk or practical talk..lol coz our government is full of talks but little action..lol