Speaking at the 2026 SEED CO National Field Day, the Head of State said Zambia has the potential to become a regional food basket but warned that inefficiency among farmers continues to hinder progress.
“For years a fellow like me was ridiculed when I entered politics because a farmer was viewed to be dull, unintelligent, incapable of leading a country,” President Hichilema said.
“Here, we consider farmers as low class people. But every breakfast you are eating, you just look for salt to add.”
The President emphasised the need to treat farming as a productive and profitable venture, urging farmers to increase yields and adopt modern agricultural practices. He said there was no justification for maize production of less than two tonnes per hectare.
“There is no reason why somebody whose preoccupation is farming produces less than two tonnes per hectare of maize. It is not right,” he said.
President Hichilema noted that improving productivity is key to achieving government’s 10-1-1 vision, which targets 10 million tonnes of maize, one million tonnes of wheat and one million tonnes of soybeans.
He added that higher output at household level would ensure food security while enabling surplus production for urban markets and exports.
“No farmer, no food, no future. Simple,” he said.
“One hectare is enough to produce food for yourselves. The second, third, fourth, fifth hectare are for business.”
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo, Minister of Science and Technology Felix Mutati revealed that the World Bank has provided Zambia with a US$100 million grant to support digital connectivity in rural areas.
Mutati said the funds will be used to install about 300 communication towers to help farmers access information and innovations via mobile technology.
“The World Bank has given Zambia a grant of 100 million dollars out of which we shall deliver 300 communication towers in the rural part of Zambia to connect our farmers,” he said.
He added that improved connectivity would enable farmers, including those in remote areas, to make informed decisions aimed at increasing productivity and profitability.
You don’t have to joke about them to despise them .
Refusing to pay for their products and forcing them to sell at below market rates speaks louder than any disparaging words.
For HH getting into state house was an ego thing. It was not because he had anything to contribute to zambian development.
” a farmer was viewed to be dull, unintelligent, incapable of leading a country,”