Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda is happy that there are many foreign exhibitors participating at the 89th Agriculture and Commercial Show Society of Zambia (ACSZ) in Lusaka.
Mr. Lubinda says there are 80 foreign exhibitors from 20 different countries at this year’s Show.
He disclosed this when he and his visiting Czechoslovakian counterpart Marian Jurecka paid a courtesy call on Show Society President Murray Anderson.
The Minister and his entourage that comprised his two deputies ministers Greyford Moonde, Maxas Ng’onga and ministry officials later toured and inspected stands at the on-going Show among them CAMCO, junior farmers hall and ministry stands.
Speaking later, visiting Czec Republic Minister of Agriculture Marian Jurecka expressed gratitude that Zambia’s economy was steadily growing including the agriculture sector.
Show Society President Murray Anderson disclosed that the Show is expected to raise over K6
million this year because of the huge number of both foreign and local exhibitors.
The 89th ACSZ is expected to be graced by visiting Malawian President Professor Peter Mutharika tomorrow afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Zambia National Farmers’ Union and the EU have signed a 14.87 million Euros memorandum of understanding (MoU) designed to construct four new agricultural service centres.
The new centers are Chibombo, Mbala, Mpongwe and Lundazi which is intended to ignite and facilitate linkages and partnerships with the private sector I the agriculture sector.
European Union Head of Delegation to Zambia Gilles Hervio said most of the private sector is unable to develop appropriate marketing infrastructure in farming areas due to lack of long term capital financing and high business risks.
Mr. Hervio further disclosed that the Union has additional 110 million Euros to support the sector.
ZNFU Executive Director Ndambo Ndambo commended EU for the continued support to the Union.
Well done President Lungu. Your dedicated service to our country is paying off.