Stakeholders in Kanchibiya District say the lack of knowledge in agroforestry among youths and cooperatives has contributed to high unemployment levels in the area.
Kanchibiya District Forestry Officer Samson Zimba says the lack of technical knowledge on how to exploit the vast forestry resources in the district has hindered economic growth and job creation.
Mr Zimba has since called on stakeholders to intensify the dissemination of information regarding agroforestry products and the various ways young people could generate sustainable income from them.
Speaking in a telephone interview with the media, Mr Zimba said equipping youths with specialised agroforestry skills would not only open up new economic opportunities but also contribute significantly to environmental conservation.
“There is a serious knowledge gap among our youths regarding agroforestry. If we can educate them on the various products and income-generating activities in this sector, we will be addressing unemployment while promoting sustainable environmental practices,” Mr Zimba said.
Meanwhile, Kanchibiya District Cooperative Union Chairperson, Robert Mushili, observed that cooperatives in the area were eager to diversify but were limited by a lack of information on how to monetise the agroforestry sector.
“Cooperatives play a vital role in our local economy, but we need technical knowledge on agroforestry products to maximise our production and ensure profitability,” Mr Mushili said.
And Chachaka Multipurpose Cooperative secretary Brian Chanda noted that young members of cooperatives were ready to embrace training on agroforestry to boost production levels and contribute to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“We are ready to embrace agroforestry training. With the right knowledge, our cooperatives and young members can boost production and make meaningful contributions to Zambia’s economic growth,” Mr Chanda stated.
The agroforestry sector offers a wide array of high-value products and services, including edible mushrooms, honey, medicinal products, timber, and tree seedlings.
Other potential ventures include carbon credits, eco-tourism services, and the production of fruits, nuts, and oils.
Stakeholders believe that with structured training and market linkages, Kanchibiya’s forest resources could become a cornerstone of the district’s economic diversification agenda.
