Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda has implored small scale farmers to practice crop diversification and stop depending on maize growing.
Speaking in a telephone interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Kaunda said small scale farmers should venture in growing others crops such as bananas and cassava.
He explained that most farmers fail to diversify from maize because of the farmer input support programme.
Mr Kaunda observed that most farmers depend on farmer input support programme hence their unwillingness to diversify into other crops.
The deputy minister cited banana growing as one of the schemes that can enable small scale farmers earn a living.
He insisted that farmers who engage in banana schemes are better off than farmers who grow maize on an annual bases.
Mr Kaunda explained that banana farmers don’t need to replant compared to maize farmers thereby serving on resources.
He said local farmers should consider engaging in growing crops that will make Zambia become a producing country.
Mr Kaunda said once Zambia becomes a food basket the dollar will be weak compared to the kwacha.
The term “Banana republic” comes to mind.
Zambia, the banana republic – sounds good !!!!
As long as our farmers are protected from heavily subsidized meat, fruit and veg. imports, we do stand a chance of becoming a veritable banana republic.
I fondly remember the day when it was cheaper to order cow intestines preserved in formaldehyde (used in embalming) from Ireland than it was to get it from our farmers. Viva banana republic !
Mr Kaunda said once Zambia becomes a food basket the dollar will be weak compared to the kwacha.
……now PF you are talking. Economic turnaround is production, production, production then exporting, exporting, exporting! And adabra cadabra….the ‘dollar will be weak’ or another way, the Kwacha will be strong relative to tradeable currencies.
So how do we get there? VP, please release the earth moving equipment and create thousands and thousands of dams to harvest rain water. Then switch the farmer input support programme from maize support to irrigation support. Then wallah…..we are cooking on gas.
This is the best advice I have given my country. Hello, anyone out there to implement this advice????
What is Zambia’s staple food then if u say they stop Growing maize? This not tanzania and uganda who eat MATOKE
Didn’t realize that bananas are now Zambia’s staple food. That’s news.
It may sound grandeur to grow bananas. But how many farmers can afford irrigation equipment to grow bananas at a sustainable level. Bananas need care to and fertilize is a large component of it. Their are also fruit flies and other fungal diseases to contend with. I know Mr. Kaunda is a banana farmer in Sinda and can easily afford trucking the bananas to distant markets like Lusaka and the copperbelt. it short were is the market for small scale farmers?
Can he really afford isn’t this the man who was boarding a bus and failing to pay his farm hands and received handouts from his father? Didn’t he incur debt his father had to settle on his behalf? Its easier to make statements when one has not done something productive in life. The only note worthy thing is to appear in shorts at a swearing in ceremony for Ministers. Bananas need lots of water!
The problem with zambians they don’t support anything progressive let some people grow maize and others plant bananas , if tanzanians can survive on bananas why can’t zambians try it also infact we are the same people there is no reason we can’t do that
You can’t remove a Zambian from his or her Maize meal Nshima!
That is treasonable!
What a useless minister. Worse than the dad
Is Panji our new Agriculture Minister?
If not, such ejaculatory pronouncements are rather absurd!
I miss Mushota and his/her insolent temperamental blogs. Zwiiii (whistling)….. mushota come out of the scottish woodlands!
It would seem the tribal insane Luapula Premier is undergoing metamorphosis to something civil? Hopefully, the lunatic fringe of the tribal obsessed coribants will reform than drag our nation great lakes nations madness style….
Eichi!
The Kaunda name now resonates weakly in the background!
Blood has really thinned out!
Thanks to MCS for checking the archives. They sure need ‘maintenance’!