Aid farmers with affordable loans,banks told

NAIS-Agriculture Minister REUBEN PHIRI has called on financial institutions to help the agricultural sector grow, by providing affordable finance to farmers.

Mr PHIRI says many farmers have potential to produce different crops, but lack affordable financing.

The Minister was speaking during the BUY-ZED Field Day, held at Kuzipa Farm in Chongwe district.

Mr PHIRI assured farmers that government is taking necessary measures to unlock the export market for different agricultural commodities.

He said government will continue to partner with the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure the export market for the emergent fruit and tree crops such as strawberries is unlocked.

And Shoprite Zambia General Manager, CHARLES BOTA said the chain store is supporting the marketing of local agricultural produce.

Mr BOTA said currently, only Seven farmers in Zambia are supplying strawberries to Shoprite, and has urged farmers to take advantage of the huge demand for the product to produce the crop and supply to the chain store.

Meanwhile, BUY-ZED Founder, EVANS NGOMA said there is need for farmers to venture into high value crops such as strawberries, which have a ready market in some chain stores such as Shoprite.

Mr NGOMA said there is need for farmers to grow the strawberries to satisfy the local market, and later think of the export market.

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