A high-level Zambian delegation has arrived in Rome to participate in the World Food Forum and the United Nations Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, scheduled from October 14 to 17 at the FAO Headquarters.
The global forum, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will see 30 countries and six Regional Initiatives present investment cases to agrifood investors and development partners. The event aims to accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Zambia’s delegation is led by the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Peter Kapala, MP, who will present the country’s investment strategy focused on food security, sustainable agriculture, and inclusive economic growth. The strategy targets key value chains in maize, soybeans, honey, and aquaculture to enhance productivity, create jobs, and strengthen rural livelihoods.
This follows a USD 960 million investment plan presented by Zambia in 2024, which continues to boost the country’s agricultural and aquaculture sectors.
Minister Kapala highlighted the nation’s recent agricultural achievements, noting that despite a severe drought and national disaster declaration in the previous season, Zambia achieved a record 3.7 million metric tonnes of maize production in the 2024/2025 farming season. He said this demonstrated the resilience of Zambia’s farmers and the government’s effective interventions in climate adaptation and irrigation development.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to modernising agriculture through investment in mechanisation, extension services, and value addition. He also pointed to significant growth in the sector, including a rise in soybean production from 400,000 to 760,000 metric tonnes, and the export of locally produced maize seed to markets in Africa and Europe.
On the sidelines of the forum, the delegation is set to engage in bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening agricultural partnerships and attracting new investment.
Kapala stated that President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND government remain steadfast in their commitment to strengthening Zambia’s international relationships through trade, investment, and sustainable development cooperation. He added that such engagements reflect the President’s vision of positioning Zambia as a credible, reliable, and progressive partner on the global stage.
Zambia’s participation in the forum reaffirms the country’s resolve to accelerate inclusive rural transformation, modernise its agriculture sector, and position itself as a premier investment destination in Africa.
