President Banda says Zambian farmers have continued to benefit from the good agricultural policies that his government has implemented.
He said conservation agriculture has proved beneficial to farmers practicing this method of farming.
Mr Banda said this when International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) president Nkanya Nkwanze paid a courtesy call on him at State House yesterday.
“Government has put in place good policies in agriculture. One of these is conservation farming which we want to encourage among our small-scale farmers,” he said.
He said he has also practiced conservation agriculture on a section of his farm and that the yield was better than where he had planted normally.
Mr Banda said his government has identified agriculture as one sector that can enhance the economy of the country and that this can be proved by the bumper harvest that was recorded during the 2009/2010 faming season.
He said there is need for Zambian farmers to diversify from traditional maize crop to other crops that can be exported.
[pullquote]“We would like to commend you for your strong emphasis on agriculture, a sector which is fundamental to economic growth. In this vain, we would like to congratulate you for the bumper harvest that you have recorded,” he said.[/pullquote]
Mr Banda said IFAD has contributed to the country’s agriculture sector, especially in rural areas where food is scarce.
President Banda said through IFAD, small-scale farmers are now managing to feed their families.
He said Zambia has continued to grow high grade wheat and arrangements are being made for some of it to be exported to neighbouring countries.
Mr Banda said cattle disease has continued to afflict animals in Western, North-Western and Southern provinces but that with the help of IFAD, the diseases will eventually be overcome.
He assured that government will do everything possible to help IFAD establish its office in Zambia.
Earlier Dr Nkwanze said IFAD has assisted Zambia to the tune of US$285 million that has been spent on 11 projects, eight of which have been completed.
He said IFAD intends to spend a further US $66 million on a project that will be designed with the Ministry of Agriculture.
“We would like to commend you for your strong emphasis on agriculture, a sector which is fundamental to economic growth. In this vain, we would like to congratulate you for the bumper harvest that you have recorded,” he said.
He said he is pleased that conservation agriculture is being promoted and that 250 households are practicing the method with the assistance of IFAD.
Dr Nkwanze said Zambia is way ahead of other countries in small scale farming.
He said IFAD will continue to work with government by empowering women and providing financial assistance to rural farmers.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
Well done HERB. We are fully behind your progressive policies that are helping ordinary Zambians to feed themselves.
I don’t get this when these policies were started from mwanawasa’s time he also wants to share credit but when it’s something negative he distances himself saying he wasnt in charge when such and such happened. If you are going to take credit take the blame as well
This not true , and thats why i always say in our politicians LOGIC is missing .. dont make such general statements..not all not even half are benefing from your policies as you put it…look at mpongwe is producing alot but the roads? is that what you mean ? finding there own market…? ba bwana ….sure.
The statement is just too general ,which famers..which farmers ,which part of zambia?
Do nt generalise as most of ur policies do nt reach da intendd groups. They v nt bn benecial if they wer les pipo wud v bn walowin n poverty by nw