Zambia is working at improving varieties of crops, livestock and enhance animal disease control and irrigation schemes in an effort to boost agriculture production to improve its quality of food for citizens, President Hakainde Hichilema has said.
President Hichilema says Zambia is working at expanding and improving the provision of agriculture extension services and equipment by providing affordable and tailored financial products to small-scale farmers.
He said Zambia recognized the fact that the production of quality food should be complemented by a robust agricultural food chain, which should include the need to establish a good distribution network.
He stated that apart from establishing a good food distribution network, it was important for nations to invest in food processing, preservation, and marketing.
Speaking when he delivered a pre-recorded statement during the Food Systems Summit at the United Nations (UN) in New York, the Head said appropriate technology, innovation, and agriculture research were key levers for enhancing productivity and improving food security.
“Zambia would like to improve varieties of crops, livestock and enhance animal disease control and irrigation schemes. We are also working on expanding and improving the provision of agriculture extension services and equipment as well as provide affordable tailored financial products to small-scale farmers. I am confident that the implementation of these actions will have a positive impact in guaranteeing food security systems,” President Hichilema said.
The Head of State explained that many countries were grappling with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the socio-economic fabric and that the adverse effect of climate change on the agriculture sector had been compounded by the negative impact of the COOVID-19.
“Apart from our commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Zambia is promoting sustainable agricultural practices and forest management as well as the regeneration of indigenous forest species and a robust national tree-planting programme, President Hichilema said.
We have food which just goes to waste. So before we embark on ” enhancing” let’s work out ways to help our farmers find a market for their produce. Currently farmers are operating at a loss because except for maize the other crops don’t seem to have a market. As for extension officers, we have plenty all equipped with appropriate mode of transportation but they prefer to work from offices doing deals. One extension officer can even get twenty bags of fertilizer without paying for it. To put these people in line I propose that they start getting their pay according to the results in their respective areas.
A good supply chain is key to a Zambian agrarian revolution. Most of our food products that include wild fruits go to waste every year. Many Zambians grow just enough to eat because they don’t have access to a good market. In areas like Lundazi, Chasefu, Chama, Mambwe, Mafinga and beyond people are very productive but there are no roads. As an immediate response to that consider to invest in drones to deliver medicines and agro inputs and to uplift agro products becuase it’ll take time to repair those roads. The dependency on rainfed agriculture has greatly affected the Southern province due to inadequate rain received of late. As such plans for irrigation are welcome but that won’t be easy because of the source of water. The most reliable is the Kafue but it’ll require a radical…
“In January, Lore first announced plans to step down as Walmart’s successful e-commerce director in order to focus on creating “the city of the future.”
“This is going to be a lifelong project,” the 50-year-old entrepreneur told Recode at the time. “It’s the thing I’m most passionate about.”
International Monetary Fund and world bank where do you want to put you money?
“This month, Lore has shared more details, telling Fortune he was trying “to create a new model for society, where wealth is created in a fair way.”
He’s devised a “reformed version of capitalism” with Telosa he calls “equitism,” where anyone can build and sell homes, but the city retains ownership of the land underneath.”
“In January, Lore first announced plans to step down as Walmart’s successful e-commerce director in order to focus on creating “the city of the future.”
“This is going to be a lifelong project,” the 50-year-old entrepreneur told Recode at the time. “It’s the thing I’m most passionate about.” Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
International Monetary Fund and world bank where do you want to put you money?
“This month, Lore has shared more details, telling Fortune he was trying “to create a new model for society, where wealth is created in a fair way.”
He’s devised a “reformed version of capitalism” with Telosa he calls “equitism,” where anyone can build and sell homes, but the city retains ownership of the land underneath.” Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
Please whatever you do dont tolerate GMO foods and Masanto.
HEHH is talking about improving agriculture processes for reducing the cost of food production in mind , which should mean cheaper food for the people……..
So Climate change is now real because HH is now president?
International Monetary Fund and world bank where do you want to put you money?
Factbook is free online. Intelligent at work.
Our food security is anchored on the FISP program for small scale farmers. They need support to increase yields/ha and post harvest management to increase value. This is a major weak link and so food tend to go to waste, be it horticulture or cereal. If we increased our production system by even 20% from current 38% efficiency, we will have a lot of food which we can use in many other industries. We can even produce energy from surplus. So our president is right. Diversify, increase production and process for a resilient smart agriculture and food production system.
Mr President you must fullfil the promise you made to farmers of buying a bag of fertilizer at K250.00