ZAMBIA and Germany have signed a joint declaration of intent on agriculture in a bid to promote climate smart agriculture in the agro-forestry sector through mechanisation technology.
The declaration, which has further strengthened relations between the two countries, was signed on Monday in Berlin, Germany on the side-lines of the 5th AGCO Africa Summit.
Minister of Agriculture Given Lubinda said the declaration will not only promote agro-forestry in Zambia but will also assist farmers to invest in alternative methods of production that will increase the health of the soils and productivity.
This is according to a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by first secretary for press and public relations at the Zambian embassy in Germany, Yvonne Chibemba.
Mr Lubinda said the Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre was playing an important role of in improving production, with its introduction of mechanisation to the Zambian farmers.
“I sincerely want to thank the German government for co-operating with Zambia in these areas, there are indeed areas that will improve not only agriculture, but through agriculture, will improve the health status of our people and reduce the level of poverty of our people,” he said.
Mr Lubinda said Zambia and Germany enjoy mutually- beneficial relations and is optimistic that the two countries would continue to enhance co-operation in the agriculture sector.
And German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Christian Schmidt said the two countries could, through their ministries, develop programmes that would indicate future areas of co-operation.
Mr Schmidt noted that there is still more work to be done on the mechanisation of the agriculture sector for the benefit of smallholder farmers to help improve production.
“My ministry is pleased to co-operate very closely with the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development, which already has an ongoing project in Zambia on small-scale farming,” he said.
He also congratulated Zambia on being selected to the next 134th Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly this March.
Waist of German Taxpayers money.
Waste is what you wanted to say sir, that is were to wear your trouser
BA CONCERNED, WHAT IS WAIST? IT IS WASTE THE PROBLEM WITH YOU UPND CHAPS EVERY THING THAT PF WILL DO YOU WILL NEVER APPRECIATE. NO WONDER YOUR SMALL god HH WILL NEVER RULE ZAMBIA, COME AUGUST 11 IFINTU NI LUNGU.
It is too much to expect the computer dictionary to know the difference between “waist” and “waste”, “full” and “fool” and a number of similar words. As a dinosaur I have to learn to live with it.
How much are you borrowing ???
It is a cooperation agreement and not a loan! Stop being myopic and seeing black in everything!
This is good, Germany does everything well and disciplined. Vorsprung durch Technik, we shall be receiving the best in technical advance. Maybe cheaper Audi cars or even manufactures…..to help us diversify! Welcome on board sir!
These are the kind of agreements we need as a country. Germans are known for their efficiency and that would help Zambia develop in whatever sector we engage them in. Iwe chi waist of German tax payers money shut up if you have nothing positive to say.