Finnish ambassador to Zambia Pertti Anttinen says the agriculture sector has potential to be come Zambia’s main export earner if properly harnessed.
Speaking in an interview the Finnish Envoy said Zambia has massive potential to earn foreign currency by exporting agriculture products to countries in the region if the country’s agriculture policies emphasized on growing not only produce for consumption but for the export market as well.
Mr. Anttinen said the country’s agriculture policies should be modeled in such a way that the country does not only produce for its consumption but take advantage of the massive export potential that is in the region.
“Zambia’s agriculture potential is huge, it is really immense to feed your own people but also to take advantage of the regional market particularly in DRC, Angola and Zimbabwe. I think its one of the Key issues that is needs to be considered for the general diversification of the economy.
But what is happening to the agriculture sector and agriculture policies now I think they could be more emphasis on strategic thinking, what Zambia wants from its agriculture sector obviously first is food security for the country but also I would say second should be an effective producer of goods for the region for export then you can earn lots of money from your agriculture sector,” said Mr. Anttinen.
He called on government to reconsider its position on the country’s preoccupation on growing maize.
The Envoy whose country is one of Zambia’s donor in the agriculture sector said government should not only concentrate on increasing maize production in its Farmer Input Support Program but increase production in other crops as well which will help the country earn more foreign currency.
This can only happen if politicians start thinking outside the box. Forget about killing the mines through high taxes such as windfall tax, increased royalties, non refund of VAT. Focus on diversifying the economy and encourage the mining sector to grow as well.
we have consistently used small scale farmers to our advantage in this country by forcing them to grow a loss making crop called maize by dangling subsidized fertilizers in their faces. we forget that none of the people on the scheme are graduating to independence. suppose they engaged in fish farming and cash crops do you think they would be as poor as they are today. we complain about poverty but we forget the government is the one perpetuating poverty. if you want to grow out of poverty raise pigs, goats, village chickens, fish farming so that you multiply your income streams. the mono cropping has also contributed to environment degradation as opposed to rotational agriculture. agriculture in zambia is the number one deforestation activity but target the charcoal burners no union
“Speaking in an interview the Finnish Envoy said Zambia has massive potential to earn foreign currency by exporting agriculture products to countries in the region if the country’s agriculture policies emphasized on growing not only produce for consumption but for the export market as well.”.
THIS ADVICE IS SIMPLE BUT REAL AND VERY PRACTICAL. I WISH IT WERE THE OPPOSITION PARTIES WHICH WERE ADVISING THE GOVT IN THIS MANNER RATHER THAN THEIR ALL TIME F00LISH CONDEMNATION OF THE GOVT WITH NO ADVICE. IN ANY CASE, I THINK FARMING BLOCKS TOGETHER WITH INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS ARE TOWARDS GROWING FOR EXPORT (and local consumption). thank you ambassador.
THIS ADVICE CAN NEVER BE FAR FROM THE TRUTH. THIS IS ONE HONEST AMBASSADOR GIVING VERY HONEST ADVICE (CONSULTATION) TO THE GOVT FREE OF CHARGE. I CONQUER WITH THE AMBASSADOR- LET’S PRODUCE FOR EXPORT, TOO. THE CROSS-BORDER SMUGGLING INDICATES HIGH EXPORT POTENTIAL FOR ZAMBIA AND WE CAN’T YET TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT. INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS NEAR FARMING BLOCKS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PROCESS AGRO PRODUCTS OF SUCH BLOCKS TO FINISHED AND NICELY PARKED FOOD STUFF READY FOR EXPORT RIGHT FROM SUCH CLUSTERS USING THE NEW ROADS IN THE LINKED ZAMBIA. PLEASE, LET’S FORMULATE STRONG POLICIES FOR AGRO EXPORTS.