Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) Executive Director Ndambo Ndambo says it is saddening that the majority of the rural poor failing to feed themselves claim to be farmers.
Speaking during a signing ceremony of a bilateral agreement between ZNFU and the Finnish government Mr. Ndambo noted that most of the small scale farmers were living in abject poverty.
He explained that the agreement will help uplift the lives of small scale farmers who are the majority rural poor.
“It is sad to note that the majority of our rural poor, those failing to feed themselves claim to be farmers.”
He said the union was elated by the opportunity to sign an agreement that will see a lot of lives improved through the support of the Finnish government.
And Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Pertti Anttinen said his government’s policy emphasizes on inclusive sustainable growth and reduction of inequalities.
“Finland’s development policy emphasizes inclusive sustainable growth and reduction of inequalities. The Core Support Programme Phase 2 funded on ZNFU’s democratic and good governance principals is expected to, enhance participation of smallholder farmers and the vulnerable members of society,” he said.
The agreement succeeds the 2009 programme which expired in 2013.
The government of Finland will give a grant of 4,000,000 Euros which is part of 7,600,000 financial contribution expected from Finland, will finance the Core Support Programme Phase 2 for 2014 and 2015.
The phase 2 core programme will among other things enhance ZNFU’s capacity for agriculture service delivery by consolidating, diversifying and developing of new services.
This is expected to increase smallholder farmers’ access to capital and productive assets, output and input markets, financial services, on-farm productivity enhancing technologies and skills.
If what LT has reported is exactly what (ZNFU) Executive Director Ndambo Ndambo actually said word-for-word, “…claim to be farmers…” then I have to say his choice of words is very poor for a man in that position. Is this the best he can say to motivate a small scale farmer who faces monumental challenges every step of the way? A small scale farmer’s farming inputs come late at the start of the farming season year in year out. When a small scale farmer sells his produce, he/she is paid very late year in year out. Its a harsh double blow. So, how on God’s green Earth is a small scale farmer expected to lift himself / herself above poverty?