Reforming Zambia’s Agriculture Part II is a documentary produced by IAPRI and takes a critical look at the marketing activities of the Food Reserve Agency. Should the FRA be restricted to purchase of strategic reserves or should it be actively involved in the marketing of crops? These and more questions are answered.
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ngechinyimbo ati shani. twebeni ukwakuchisanga
I like the contribution made by the elderly man Mr Phineous Banda most because he is on the ground and talking from hands-on experience. When he says money to pay farmers must not just be politically available on time, but must be really be on time, he hits home where the problem is.
As for the Minister Mr Given Lubinda, I am left wondering whether what he is saying is really attainable. You cannot put strategic reserves of food for the whole Nation into the hands of private companies whose primary aim is profit, and expect a human face in the even distribution of the food across the Country.
The other issue he does not mention and seems oblivious to is value-addition i.e. processing. He is imploring more Zambians to get involved in the primary activities i.e. grow crops, but no word…
Cont’d .. no word on the secondary activities where more jobs can be generated. If anything, I expect him to go into overdrive and dare people to do ‘instant nshima’. Anyone remembers that?
Just as we have cereals of all sorts for breakfast, just add warm milk and its ready, we should promote instant nshima to the same level. More processing, hence more jobs inZambia. But alas ..