Zambia Needs To Rethink How To Promote The Agriculture Sector

By Patricia Mbewe

The Indaba Agriculture Policy Research Institute-IAPRI- says there is need to rethink how to promote agriculture in Zambia.

IAPRI notes that countries whose agriculture sectors have flourished have focused on research and development, rural roads and education outreach among others which is not the case in Zambia.

IAPRI Outreach Director, Ballard Zulu states that areas with expected low rainfall and warmer temperatures should avoid growing thirsty crops such as maize which require a lot of water while areas with expected normal rains should consider planting alternative crops other than maize.

Speaking when he made a presentation on the state of the agriculture sector in Zambia at the Transformation of Agriculture in Zambia Conference organized by the Zambian government and the Sustainable Development Goals Africa in Lusaka today, Mr. Zulu stressed that maize production may perpetrate poverty for most smallholder farmers hence the need to avoid the crop.

Speaking earlier, Agriculture Minister, Michael Katambo said the objective of the conference is to bring together all stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing the agriculture sector and help come up with concrete plans.

Mr Katambo is confident that with the high level participation, there will be meaningful discussions to help transform the agriculture sector.

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